Does the optician need to know that we are diabetic?

[this is too difficult]

Test now and then as your doing , I've read a few people who were told cured only to post and say its back

I am the same as ever, just controlling it by diet. Low carb and testing is for life now. Won't be testing as often as I know what most of the meals I eat do to my BG now.

 

[Avocado Sevenfold]

Since telling the optician that I have diabetes, I have been told I should have my eye test every year instead of every two years. This is in addition to the retinal screening at the hospital.

 

[Avocado Sevenfold]

Are eye tests not free for everyone?

I depends where you live, age, medical and financial situation etc. Some people somewhere pay.

 

[Lamont D]

Yes

I depends where you live, age, medical and financial situation etc. Some people somewhere pay.

Yes! This!

 

[AndBreathe]

Entitlement to free eye care in England is covered here: http://www.nhs.uk/nhsengland/Healthcosts/pages/Eyecarecosts.aspx. I believe Wales is largely aligned with England in this regard, but I believe, it is free for all in Scotland.

 

[kesun]

It would be foolish not to mention that you have diabetes, the more they know about your medical history the better. Diabetes can damage the eyes so it's only right that you should inform your optician whoever you see, better to work with these people than against them.

I agree with you as a general principle, but what the OP wants here is a second opinion to check an unexpected result, and she suspects the result may have been caused by the optician making assumptions because of her db. She does already have regular check-ups with an optician who knows her medical hx. So in this circumstance I would also try getting tested by an optician who doesn't know the background. (I'm trying to describe a blind test without using the word "blind", which sounds wrong in this context!)

Kate

 

[Randburg]

Hi my understanding is that an optician who can check your eyes to a certain extent, and provide Glasses if needed.
As a diabetic you need to go to an ophthalmologist to check the back of your eyes for damage, as they have the equipment and knowledge to do this.
It may be different in the Uk, but that's how they do it in South Africa

 

[jim1951]

Hi my understanding is that an optician who can check your eyes to a certain extent, and provide Glasses if needed.
As a diabetic you need to go to an ophthalmologist to check the back of your eyes for damage, as they have the equipment and knowledge to do this.
It may be different in the Uk, but that's how they do it in South Africa

I use Boots opticians and they also do the retinal screening. Not all opticians and not all Boots opticians offer this facility.

jim

 

[noblehead]

I agree with you as a general principle, but what the OP wants here is a second opinion to check an unexpected result, and she suspects the result may have been caused by the optician making assumptions because of her db. She does already have regular check-ups with an optician who knows her medical hx. So in this circumstance I would also try getting tested by an optician who doesn't know the background. (I'm trying to describe a blind test without using the word "blind", which sounds wrong in this context!)

Kate

Then the second opinion should come from a HCP like the OP's Dr, if there's cause for concern they will refer them over to the Ophthalmology clinic at their local hospital.

I'm not sure I agree Kate that the Optician would make assumptions based on diabetes, but we can agree to disagree on this one if you like

 

[Ambersilva]

@noblehead Thank you for your comments. Some people may be guilty of handling their condition in a foolish way - but that is not me. The reason for my original post was the fact that the screening for retinopathy was done one week before the optician's eyesight test.

When I had recovered from the screening blitz on my eyes I was sitting five feet away from and in full view of the enlarged (about fifteen inch square) images of the inside of my eyes. The follow-up letter reported that there were no retinopathy issues found. Armed with that boost in confidence I proceeded to my annual eyesight test. I know I have no severe vision problems as my prescription has only varied very slightly in the last twelve years.

I know that I am not trained to interpret the retinopathy screening images but I saw nothing that in any way resembled the images of 'hard exudates' that I have seen on Dr Google. What I need to know is that if the optician has found hard exudates then how long does the condition typically take to deteriorate to the point where my vision will be affected in an adverse way.

I will, for peace of mind, have a private retinopathy scan. I shall also have another eyesight test with a different optician.

@kesun Kate, thank you for your comments too.

 

[Lilllinka]

Hi - great if you are cured but please continue to monitor and check I have been type 1 for around 4 years (am 36 now). Have had terrible eyesight since I was 9. I am Scottish but I live in the Czech Republic and was diagnosed here. My specialist insists that I go to an opthamologist rather than an optician (I go through the hospital). It is annoying but so important. Also, I think it just makes sense to tell any optician/doctor/dentist that you are diabetic,
As far as I know there is no legal requirement but it just seems sensible. Likewise - I teach (freelance) and I make sure all my students, colleagues and employers are aware of the situation. I don't play it up or emphasise it but awareness is so important.

Take care and hope you stay well.

 

[this is too difficult]

hi Lillinka Im Scottish too. I don't think there is a cure. One of our best holidays was in Prague.
Sorry got two threads mixed up there.

 

[this is too difficult]

@noblehead Thank you for your comments. Some people may be guilty of handling their condition in a foolish way - but that is not me. The reason for my original post was the fact that the screening for retinopathy was done one week before the optician's eyesight test.

When I had recovered from the screening blitz on my eyes I was sitting five feet away from and in full view of the enlarged (about fifteen inch square) images of the inside of my eyes. The follow-up letter reported that there were no retinopathy issues found. Armed with that boost in confidence I proceeded to my annual eyesight test. I know I have no severe vision problems as my prescription has only varied very slightly in the last twelve years.

I know that I am not trained to interpret the retinopathy screening images but I saw nothing that in any way resembled the images of 'hard exudates' that I have seen on Dr Google. What I need to know is that if the optician has found hard exudates then how long does the condition typically take to deteriorate to the point where my vision will be affected in an adverse way.

I will, for peace of mind, have a private retinopathy scan. I shall also have another eyesight test with a different optician.

@kesun Kate, thank you for your comments too.

Eyesight is one of my greatest fears also.

 

[gfmoore]

After my last retinopathy I was called in to the hospital and they checked my eyes using a laser scanner. They also noted a hard exudate. The concern was that it was near the macula (the yellow spot - where the greatest concentration of light receptors are (cones). Sometimes the eye vessels will leak fluid and then leave behind a lipid residue (i.e. cholesterol). I assume this is what you are calling hard exudates http://www.aao.org/theeyeshaveit/optic-fundus/hard-exudates.cfm I guess this picture is a very damaged eye, mine had one tiny spot, apart from some background retinopathy

For me they determned there was no fluid leaks in the eye (i.e. in the layer of the eye where the reitna is (there are a few layers with blood vessels running through) so they were happy with that and also pleased that I was getting my bg down. They were a little concerned with my higher than liked blood pressure - so that is something to work on. I have to go back in four months.

If the exudates are not near the macula they won't be as bothered.

However, I have quite a lot of confidence in the eye docs. If the technicians note anything of concern with your scan they will be sure to call you in as a precautionary measure. if things are more serious after their investigations then they have lots of tools at their disposal including lasers to put things right. So don't get overly concerned - like everything else with diabetes it's just something else to be alert to

 

[noblehead]

I will, for peace of mind, have a private retinopathy scan. I shall also have another eyesight test with a different optician.

Wishing you all the best, lets know how you get on.

 

[Ambersilva]

@gfmoore @noblehead

Thank you both.

 

[JacHibbert]

I wou

I attend annual retinal screening appointments and the written reports confirm that there are no issues with my eyes.

I also have annual eye tests with an optical shop that I have attended for over a decade. I received fantastic advice from the regular optician when I experienced changes to my vision due to the sudden onset of diabetes and the administration of insulin.

However, at the last eye test carried out one week after the retinal screening, a new optician at the usual shop examined my eyes. The optician said she could see 'hard exudates' and declared that they were caused by diabetes. She gave no advice, recommendations or prognosis. I wondered why she found it necessary to mention 'hard exudates' when the retinal screening clinic found nothing to comment about one week earlier. I left the shop worrying about imminent deterioration in my vision.

My question is, do we actually have to inform the optician who conducts a vision test that we are diabetic? I am thinking about booking an appointment with another optician that I know but they do not know that I am diabetic.

l would always tell the optician about my diabetes as they always do more than just a sight test even though they know I have an annual retinal scan. If nothing else it means the test is free. No idea what hard exudates are - I've had type 1 for 42 years. Personally, I would speak to the Diabetes Clinic to get an explanation - damage is done over a long period of time but can show up sooner so don't discount it - check it out to be sure.

 

[Ambersilva]

I wou


l would always tell the optician about my diabetes as they always do more than just a sight test even though they know I have an annual retinal scan. If nothing else it means the test is free. No idea what hard exudates are - I've had type 1 for 42 years. Personally, I would speak to the Diabetes Clinic to get an explanation - damage is done over a long period of time but can show up sooner so don't discount it - check it out to be sure.

@JacHibbert I have already stated in post #29 my intention to have another retinopathy screening and eyesight test.

 

[AnnieC]

Should all T2's have retinol screening My husband was recently diagnosed with T2 GP and the DN did not say anything about retinol screening. He is going for his yearly eye test today first one since he was diagnosed so he will tell the optician about the diabetes

 

[gfmoore]

Should all T2's have retinol screening My husband was recently diagnosed with T2 GP and the DN did not say anything about retinol screening. He is going for his yearly eye test today first one since he was diagnosed so he will tell the optician about the diabetes

I'd say so if you don't want to go blind! It's screening, so they can sort out issues before it's too late.