Good news delivered unenthusiastically

[Jo_the_boat]

Had a recent eye screen, my first one and was naturally a bit worried. However it came back fine. But the language in their letter could have been more enthusiastic.......

'Your test result appeared normal. This means you are at very little risk of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy at this time.'
Appeared?? And I could have done without the second sentence altogether.

Perhaps instead, 'Yeah, it's normal! Well done fatty, you're good to go.'

 

[Robbieswan]

Well done you. Yes, I agree it could have been worded differently

 

[Guzzler]

Aye, the letters are a bit downbeat even when the screen comes back clear. Still, I'd rather have a downbeat but clear scan result than an upbeat dodgy result. And don't call me fatty

 

[Chook]

Must be standard wording because I get exactly the same letter AND I've just got a virtually identical letter from the breast cancer screening clinic.

 

[Bluetit1802]

I also get the same wording.

I suppose they have to be very careful. They do not want to say "normal, you have no need to worry" because there will always be errors (as my area knows all too well when hundreds of ladies were told their routine mammograms were normal but mistakes in analysing the mammograms were later discovered and all ladies were recalled for a second test. Sadly, we live in an age of compensation claims.

 

[novorapidboi26]

Classic screening letter............

 

[lovinglife]

I had a lump removed from my neck - a lipoma which is totally harmless and I knew this anyway but they always test - my letter said no signs of cancer which is encouraging?!? Strange word to use I thought

 

[Jo_the_boat]

I also get the same wording.

I suppose they have to be very careful. They do not want to say "normal, you have no need to worry" because there will always be errors (as my area knows all too well when hundreds of ladies were told their routine mammograms were normal but mistakes in analysing the mammograms were later discovered and all ladies were recalled for a second test. Sadly, we live in an age of compensation claims.

Yes, I realize it's standard wording and, I'm sure you realize, no way want to trivialize far more serious situations.
It is what I call an ACE letter: **se-Covering-Exercise - which was 'encouraging'.

 

[tim2000s]

This means you are at very little risk of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy at this time.'

As a person with elevated glucose levels, there's good reason for this line. They can't truly describe you as normal, otherwise they have liability for not telling you that you still have a risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, however small that might be.

Yes it's rubbish, but these letters don't all go out to people who truly understand the risks.

 

[phdiabetic]

Good result! I've had my eyes checked a few times now, no strange letters like that but once I was a bit high due to basal issues and so I told the doc in case it affected anything. He seemed horrified at a 10.4 ("that's really high" - yeah thanks I realised that). He's really nice though and I always feel better about myself after I've had my eyes checked and have been reassured that nothing's wrong.

 

[johnpol]

Yes its definitely an ACE letter, mind you when you get one that says "The results of your last Eye screening exam shows significant change, and a follow-up exam is needed" then nothing comes to tell you when, then worry. and stop calling me fatty!!
I did get a phone call telling me to go for a eye exam at my local eye hospital, turned into emergency laser treatment!!! still undergoing it as well. But I wished it would have just been the usual letter.

 

[Jo_the_boat]

Yes its definitely an ACE letter, mind you when you get one that says "The results of your last Eye screening exam shows significant change, and a follow-up exam is needed" then nothing comes to tell you when, then worry. and stop calling me fatty!!
I did get a phone call telling me to go for a eye exam at my local eye hospital, turned into emergency laser treatment!!! still undergoing it as well. But I wished it would have just been the usual letter.

Hi Johnpol
Firstly, Good luck with the treatment. I'm sure your experience is frightening and I sincerely wish you well.
One of the ways I try to cope with things is gentle humour when the chance allows. Others do it on here too, which I see as a positive, but nobody is out to trivialize this condition, partly because next time your letter could be ours.
Once again, best of luck.

 

[Dark Horse]

Had a recent eye screen, my first one and was naturally a bit worried. However it came back fine. But the language in their letter could have been more enthusiastic.......

'Your test result appeared normal. This means you are at very little risk of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy at this time.'
Appeared?? And I could have done without the second sentence altogether.

Perhaps instead, 'Yeah, it's normal! Well done fatty, you're good to go.'

I don't like the wording but to be fair, the earliest damage due to diabetes is not detectable by the screening test. I don't suppose 'any retinopathy you have due to diabetes has not yet reached detectable levels' would sound any better. Although the vast majority of people whose screening test 'appears normal' will not develop sight-threatening retinopathy before the next test, there may be a few individuals where this does happen. People need to be aware that it is possible so they go to the optician ASAP if they develop symptoms instead of waiting until their next screen.

 

[Lampman]

Yes, I realize it's standard wording and, I'm sure you realize, no way want to trivialize far more serious situations.
It is what I call an ACE letter: **se-Covering-Exercise - which was 'encouraging'.

Just been through exactly the same as you. I thought standard derriere defence wording, but there is also the point that if they said something on the lines that all is wonderful, some people might stop doing the necessary to keep well, thinking its all over now.

 

[johnpol]

Hi Johnpol
Firstly, Good luck with the treatment. I'm sure your experience is frightening and I sincerely wish you well.
One of the ways I try to cope with things is gentle humour when the chance allows. Others do it on here too, which I see as a positive, but nobody is out to trivialize this condition, partly because next time your letter could be ours.
Once again, best of luck.

I also try and deal with things with humour, mostly fail miserably!!! Treatment is going well two lots of laser treatment, which has hopefully sorted out my vision, it has to be the most frightening letter/phone call I have ever had, especially when you go for your appointment and be told we will do the laser now, as you can't wait for it, follow me!! to say something was twitching like a rabbits nose!!! is an understatement.

 

[Jo_the_boat]

I also try and deal with things with humour, mostly fail miserably!!! Treatment is going well two lots of laser treatment, which has hopefully sorted out my vision, it has to be the most frightening letter/phone call I have ever had, especially when you go for your appointment and be told we will do the laser now, as you can't wait for it, follow me!! to say something was twitching like a rabbits nose!!! is an understatement.

Great news, glad they were able to help you.