Retinopathy testing

[pippaandben]

In Kent there is no news as to when this service will resume - email response from them this morning. However I did have my annual eye test at local Vision Express yesterday afternoon and they photograph the back of the eye for ALL customers - not just diabetics. They admit it is not as good as the official service as drops are not used so clarity is compromised but would show up any major problems immediately. Thought this might help if anyone has particular worries. To my non medical brain the screen pictures looked very good.

 

[grovesy]

I go to Specsavers they also do the photos too.

 

[PhoebeC]

Most specsavers do, not my local one, but most do. I have tried to contact another local one but no response at all.

 

[Vicsetter]

I can't believe the comment about clarity and drops, I've never had drops over many years of scans at hospital. I've used specsavers and last of all boots, they all take photos but it's usually not the optician who takes the photo so I would take any comments they make with large pinch of salt.

 

[grovesy]

Most specsavers do, not my local one, but most do. I have tried to contact another local one but no response at all.

I thought they all did the same.

 

[grovesy]

I can't believe the comment about clarity and drops, I've never had drops over many years of scans at hospital. I've used specsavers and last of all boots, they all take photos but it's usually not the optician who takes the photo so I would take any comments they make with large pinch of salt.

My photos have always been taken by the optician, in the room where they go through the eye charts. I usually have my Retinopathy screening through the screening service the technician always uses drops, even go sit back in the waiting room for them to take effect.

 

[PhoebeC]

I thought they all did the same.

Well I phoned and asked she said that they don’t, so I am only going off that. Might book an eye test anyway

 

[grovesy]

I have just had the daily government emails, there was on Diabetic Retinopathy Screening, saying that the screening was starting up and to attend but it may not be at your normal location. Just checked on my local website still saying very reduced service for thoose at greater risk.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

I just had a call to arrange my (delayed) annual screening, in the usual place.

 

[Becka]

I can't believe the comment about clarity and drops, I've never had drops over many years of scans at hospital.

How do you get to enjoy the super dilated pupils without drops?

 

[Bruce Stephens]

How do you get to enjoy the super dilated pupils without drops?

I'm sure that's why mine seem to be scheduled for the summer, so I can enjoy the dilated pupils to the fullest extent.

 

[Sally71]

My daughter's retinopathy appointment was due this month but we had a letter saying that it will be postponed until at least next May! Because her last one didn’t show any problems she will go to the back of the queue, they are starting to do the tests again but will begin with the people who are more likely to need help. Fair enough. In the meantime we have been to a high street optician for an eye test because daughter thinks she might be needing new glasses, they took pictures of the eyes (without drops) and said everything looks fine so that will have to do for now!

@Bruce Stephens my daughter sympathises greatly, she hates being almost blind afterwards! I once took a photo of her with super dilated eyes and there was hardly any iris left showing at all! It was all pupil - ow on a bright day 😱 and probably still ow on a cloudy one!

 

[mikeyB]

My annual screening is due in September. Its done at Clitheroe Hospital, never busy, so I imagine it's just a mask and distancing jub all round. Who knows? A couple of months is a long time in the life of a capricious PM, so the rules may have changed yet again.

@Bruce Stephens my daughter sympathises greatly, she hates being almost blind afterwards! I once took a photo of her with super dilated eyes and there was hardly any iris left showing at all! It was all pupil - ow on a bright day 😱 and probably still ow on a cloudy one!

In the good old days of Ancient Egypt all the way through to the courts of Europe, young ladies would put belladonna drops in their eyes to dilate the pupils, to make them more attractive to lusty young men. That's why it's called belladonna. We call it Atropine, and it's still used (or an analogue) to dilate pupils in eye clinics

Your pupils dilate when you close to someone you love. I think it is a safety reflex for one night stands - the drops make you short sighted, so it's a final check that the person you are bedding doesn't look like the North End of a Southbound bus.