Eye testing by NW Eye Testing Service, is it a scam?

[Mike Solomons]

Do you release that most GPs services are run by private companies and have been since the NHS started...... Therefore why do you object to private compaines running NHS services?

I only object as this company seems to be getting it wrong. In my view the NHS is paying for a service but isn't getting it.

 

[Mike Solomons]

You are deliberately missing the point.

You did NOT take your wife to a full diabetic eye check appointment.
You took your wife to a specialist eye screening service which was looking for one thing and one thing only - diabetic retinopathy.

There are a number of specialised services which go out into the community and test for only one thing, including glaucoma and breast cancer. As far as I know none of them test for any other conditions. This is the way the services have been designed and the way that they have been implemented.

If your wife has known sight problems then she should be under the care of a local optometrist or a specialist eye clinic which is intended to diagnose and treat her eye conditions.

It just so happens that I have the standard brochure in front of me now, as I am due my annual eye screening in early January.

This includes the words "Screening does not look for other eye conditions and you should continue to visit your optician regularly for an eye examination as well.". This seems pretty clear to me.

The brochure says that you get drops in your eyes, photographs taken of the back of your eyes, results about 6 weeks later. So it seems clear from the brochure that ALL you are getting is photographs of the back of your eyes.

I am assuming that you are making sure that your wife has comprehensive eye care from a suitably trained specialist.

Meanwhile, ranting about a service not delivering things which it was never intended to deliver seems remarkably unproductive.

I do note that the accompanying letter from my local NHS on behalf of the eye screening service (not the standard brochure which should go out with all the eye screening test appointments) it very woolly and vague.
My copy says "The aim of eye screening is to detect any changes caused by diabetes that could cause damage to your sight." It also says "Helps to detect any risk to your vision caused by diabetes."
These statements are vague and potentially misleading, and I will raise them with my local NHS and Diabetes UK.

I was involved in the design of the brochure in conjunction with Diabetes UK so I will try and track back and see if there is anyone still around who can take up the issue.

However it is very clear that the service your wife attended is not a scam and you should perhaps be a little more cautious in the ways you go about defaming a legitimate service provider providing a legitimate service.

I have not, as you claimed, defamed "a legitimate service provider providing a legitimate service". I have drawn attention to what I feel is a 3rd world standard screening service that creates the illusion of checking for problems that can arise from diabetes.

I stick by what I have said, it should be fully investigated and either revised to offer a useful service or be closed down.

I do note that you have a vested interest. If I were you, I'd hide away.

 

[Mike Solomons]

If you had any other problem then I am sure you would have symptoms of it and then would see an optician or your GP about it

You are dangerously wrong. On a simple sight test basis, I count as having a very good standard of sight. However, I am suffering from a number of slowly developing conditions that are being monitored. If any go beyond what is considered safe, I may need very urgent intervention even if my sight remains subjectively OK.

This is not unique to me, anyone who suffers from diabetes should have at least one annual detailed eye health assessment by a suitably qualified doctor, (not a technician).

For those who have been following this set of posts, you may be interested to know that I am nearly 70 years old, still working full time, and controlled my diabetes from diagnosis aged 37 to just over 50 by a strict diet. I now diet and take metformin. Until taking my wife to the screening service about which I complain, I had no idea that such low standard checking services existed having never come across it. I was shocked and remain so.

 

[Mike Solomons]

You presumably get seen by a specialist eye clinic because you have a diagnosed eye condition ( not retinopathy?) requiring specialist intervention and monitoring. Your wife is attending a screening service because she is at risk of diabetic retinopathy which is all they are screening for. An optician / optometrist or your wifes GP is the first point of call for other eye health conditions - they are the gatekeepers for and accepted referral routes to specialist eye care services

Rubbish, I was checked by a competent eye specialist doctor linked to the hospital diabetes clinic from diagnosis and have never previously come across this, in my view, blatant scam.

 

[Boo1979]

Rubbish, I was checked by a competent eye specialist doctor linked to the hospital diabetes clinic from diagnosis and have never previously come across this, in my view, blatant scam.

Hmmmmm .... well given that you yourself say

“Ihave eye difficulties that are closely monitored by an outreach clinic run by Moorfields “and

“I am suffering from a number of slowly developing conditions that are being monitored. If any go beyond what is consideredsafe, I may need very urgent intervention”

the phrase “ if you’re in a hole just stop digging”, comes to mind.

Fyi I have been having eye screens for the last 21 years. From the first one, I was referred to a specialist eye clinic because of the extent of retinopathy evident in 1 eye and was seen 3 monthly until the consultant said “your eyes are now completely clear, why are you still coming here?” and discharged me back to routine screening through the national screening programme that you seem to have so little faith in

 

[Mike Solomons]

Hmmmmm .... well given that you yourself say

“Ihave eye difficulties that are closely monitored by an outreach clinic run by Moorfields “and

“I am suffering from a number of slowly developing conditions that are being monitored. If any go beyond what is consideredsafe, I may need very urgent intervention”

the phrase “ if you’re in a hole just stop digging”, comes to mind.

????? I suggest that's advice you should take.

I have been properly monitored since 1985. Over the years, competent monitoring by specialist doctors has found certain problems and they have acted accordingly. If I had only seen a high street optician and the service about which I have complained, I suspect I'd have been totally happy until going blind.

The public being told that diabetic retinopathy is being checked would be unlikely to realise that there are many other eye problems that can be linked to diabetes which the "service" does not check for. By thus, in some cases, creating a false illusion of there being nothing wrong, this limited low standard service is, in my view, extremely dangerous.

Regarding your own condition, you made a very big mistake. Diabetic retinopathy doesn't go away. It may have reduced but as far as I understand it, the advice you describe is just plain wrong. I strongly advise you to have occasional eye clinic checks before it's too late.

 

[JohnEGreen]

On my last screening I was advised to make an appointment for a regular eye test. My opticians screening system is linked by computer to the diabetes department and clinic at a local hospital where the photographic results are examined and from where I receive my results letter.

I'm OK with that .

 

[Mike Solomons]

On my last screening I was advised to make an appointment for a regular eye test. My opticians screening system is linked by computer to the diabetes department and clinic at a local hospital where the photographic results are examined and from where I receive my results letter.

I'm OK with that .

But have you just been checked by a high street optician or a competent eye clinic run by Moorfields of of a similar standard? If only a high street optician my advice is to get to see a competent specialist as swiftly as possible. At worst following my advice may waste a few hours. At best it may save your sight - remember if you go blind there's no second chance.

 

[Boo1979]

????? I suggest that's advice you should take.

I have been properly monitored since 1985. Over the years, competent monitoring by specialist doctors has found certain problems and they have acted accordingly. If I had only seen a high street optician and the service about which I have complained, I suspect I'd have been totally happy until going blind.

The public being told that diabetic retinopathy is being checked would be unlikely to realise that there are many other eye problems that can be linked to diabetes which the "service" does not check for. By thus, in some cases, creating a false illusion of there being nothing wrong, this limited low standard service is, in my view, extremely dangerous.

Regarding your own condition, you made a very big mistake. Diabetic retinopathy doesn't go away. It may have reduced but as far as I understand it, the advice you describe is just plain wrong. I strongly advise you to have occasional eye clinic checks before it's too late.

I have both retinal screening via the national screening service and a more detailed eye exam which I pay for privately via my optometrist both concur that my eyes are fine. I would respectfully suggest that making wild assumptions / claims about other peoples health conditions is both inappropriate and foolish, however much you want / need to manafacture ‘facts’ to suppourt your position

 

[woodenone46]

In November this year his service had a Screening Quality Assurance visit & although their report contains several actions to be undertaken the main thing is that the first statement says:
NO IMMEDIATE CONCERNS

It looks to me that you feel you got a rough deal & as already stated on here if unsatisfied go private

 

[Jo_the_boat]

If you had any other problem then I am sure you would have symptoms of it and then would see an optician or your GP about it

You're probably right. I was jumping on the 'being picky' band-wagon - perhaps unfairly.
I have to say (post doc and nurse) I have been treated efficiently and well.

 

[LittleGreyCat]

I have not, as you claimed, defamed "a legitimate service provider providing a legitimate service". I have drawn attention to what I feel is a 3rd world standard screening service that creates the illusion of checking for problems that can arise from diabetes.

I stick by what I have said, it should be fully investigated and either revised to offer a useful service or be closed down.

I do note that you have a vested interest. If I were you, I'd hide away.

Yeah, right.

If I were you (which thankfully I am not) I would get a grip on reality.

The service provided is as described.

 

[LittleGreyCat]

I was sent for a retinopathy scan. Chart, drops photos. Came back clear BUT I was not advised to visit anyone else to check whether there were other problems. Maybe it's my own stupidity that I didn't go elsewhere, but maybe it should be included in standard advice to new diabetics.

The enclosed brochure for DR does recommend that you continue to visit your regular optician.

I think, however, that there is a gap that some people can fall into.

If you have always had perfect (at least in your view) eyesight then you probably won't visit an optician year on year. You may never have visited an optician in your life if you are one of the lucky ones with perfect vision.

Once you have diabetes there is an increase risk to eyesight; perhaps all diabetics should be advised to go for a comprehensive (free) eye check at least once a year in addition to the Retinal Screening programme. This tests a load of other things including glaucoma and peripheral vision, and a good optometrist will also have a thorough look inside your eyes to check for anything which looks abnormal.

Yes, it should be given equal prominence with the 15 checks and eye screening to raise awareness.

Something else for Diabetes UK and the NHS to look at, perhaps.

 

[ringi]

I don't think a normal eye test gives a return on investment high enough to get past NICE. Remember whenever the NHS spends money on one thing, they have to stop sending the money on something else.

 

[LittleGreyCat]

I don't think a normal eye test gives a return on investment high enough to get past NICE. Remember whenever the NHS spends money on one thing, they have to stop sending the money on something else.

Ummm.......remembering that you are not UK based.

If you are diagnosed as diabetic you get a free eye test. Used to be annually, may now be every two years, but you can have free eye tests more frequently if you have any reason to suspect it is necessary.

SpecSavers, for one, are usually happy to do on demand eye testing and they have plenty of electronic gizmos to measure your eyesight. They also take retinal photographs.

I had an additional appointment before ordering some fixed vision glasses because I felt that my prescription had changed due (possibly) to improving BG control.

As posted above, it is a good idea for all diabetics to have a regular eye appointment just in case.

It should be very clear that this is in addition to the DR screening offered as a stand alone service.

Edit: if you are saying that the cost benefits would not justify every diabetic in the country attending Moorfields Eye Hospital or the equivalent then I would agree. The usual NHS strategy is to filter out those not at risk early on, without taking up scarce resources in specialist clinics. That is why GPs and screening services are usually the first line of defence, along with well provided services such as opticians, and patients are only referred on if they have signs of problems. The word "triage" is nagging at me. Quick check to eliminate low risk, concentrate scarce resources on more serious problems.

 

[Prem51]

I have my annual NHS retinopathy screening done by a private company, Newmedica, who are commissioned by London North West Healthcare NHS, which I assume is the same company which screened the OP's wife. I also live in Brent.
My experience has been fine. I get letter for appointment at local clinic. Waiting time when I get there is quick, I usually get in at the appointment time or shortly after. Usual test, chart, drops. photo of back of eye. I get the result within a week, or two at the most.
I also have annual eye check at my opticians, and have six monthly tests at a local hospital as I was found to have high pressure in eyes a few years ago, so I am checked for possible glaucoma. I usually see the Consultant in charge to discuss the results.
While I might have criticisms about the NHS on other things I can't really fault the retinopathy screening.

 

[Pinkorchid]

This is not unique to me, anyone who suffers from diabetes should have at least one annual detailed eye health assessment by a suitably qualified doctor, (not a technician).[/QUOTE]

You only see a specialist because you have other eye problems so you can't compare what you get to the retinal screening your wife and we all have and saying it is rubbish is totally unfounded If we had other problems then we would be seen at a specialist eye clinic. I am confident if I had other problems it would be picked up at my annual eye tests for glasses as that is when problems are most likely to be detected
It seems you are very much in the minority here who think the retinal scan is rubbish most who have replied to your thread are perfectly happy with what is done Joining this group just to **** off the retinal screening programme by making out you are some kind of specialist who knows what he's talking about when you obviously don't is not going to endear you to the community here. We are lucky to have the annual screening when any retinopathy can be picked up ensuring it is treated early ​

 

[Dark Horse]

Rubbish, I was checked by a competent eye specialist doctor linked to the hospital diabetes clinic from diagnosis and have never previously come across this, in my view, blatant scam.

You might like to read the various government documents which explain how the diabetic eye screening programme is run. I think you'll find that the procedures used in NW London are quite normal for screening. https://www.gov.uk/topic/population-screening-programmes/diabetic-eye

Most people are screened in the diabetic eye screening programme. Some people have other eye problems (e.g. cataracts or AMD) and may have their screening done in the hospital eye service. There are not enough ophthalmology appointments for everyone to be screened there.

 

[Jaylee]

SpecSavers, for one, are usually happy to do on demand eye testing and they have plenty of electronic gizmos to measure your eyesight. They also take retinal photographs.

It was Specsavers that picked up on my macula oedema & referred me to the hospital eye unit (via my GP.) during a regular eye test for prescription lenses.. (Which funny enough was after improved control, I felt it was about time I also reviewed my spec lenses..)

 

[LittleGreyCat]

Done my duty as best I can, so far.

In touch with Diabetes UK and my local screening service.