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Retinopathy screening

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MaryPlain

MaryPlain

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Just back from my annual retinopathy screening appointment at the optician. Having read on here that there are some anaesthetic drops they sometimes use to numb the eyes before using the drops to dilate pupils, I asked her if she would use them. I find the dilating drops extremely painful and wasn't looking forward to that, or the ensuing headache.

She offered to try doing the photos without any drops, but said that if she couldn't get a clear image she would have to do the drops. Thankfully by turning the lights off and getting me to close my eyes between each picture she was able to get some good photos, so I'm not bleary at all!

She also said that in future if they say I've got to have the drops, ask for the lower strength ones - now I'm wondering why these have never been brought up before!

Oh, and no changes from last year, so that's all good! 😎
 
Good news about the all-clear 🙂 I suspect that they use the stronger drops as a matter of course to make things easier for them - just as they use lancets on the deepest setting when finger-pricking you so they can be sure of getting some blood! 😱
 
The last screening bod I had mentioned them when I said that some I 'know' from here had the photos taken without. The impression I got was that it was felt better to get it 'right first time' rather than have people wait, try, no luck, have to wait again... which ended up in some grumpy waiting room foot stamping. Seems like strongest drops have just become the default.
 
Under 25s dont need the drops as I was told when attending the mobile screening earlier this year.
 
I found the drops very strong in one eye, smarting so much, then just as it feels as though you have had enough, the smarting subsides. Got mine next month.
 
I never needed the drops when I went, was glad about that! I'm not under 25 though, but I am under 30!
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
The last screening bod I had mentioned them when I said that some I 'know' from here had the photos taken without. The impression I got was that it was felt better to get it 'right first time' rather than have people wait, try, no luck, have to wait again... which ended up in some grumpy waiting room foot stamping. Seems like strongest drops have just become the default.
Click to expand...

It's great that we can empower each other to ask these sort of questions!
 
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