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A little bit confused..

Pollylocks

Well-Known Member
Messages
525
Location
Kent
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Not many.
I went to Boots Optician this morning for an eye test, not used their opticians before. The last time I went for an eye test [not a diabetic one] was three years ago, the reason being I thought my annual diabetic tests would pick up any problems whether diabetes related or not.

Anyway, the optician was very thorough, several tests taking over half an hour, says I don't have glaucoma as field tests are normal, signs of cataracts which isn't uncommon for my age [68] but not to worry , made me an appointment for next year and only need go back before then if I notice changes in my eyesight.

I have to say, googled when home as I thought the annual diabetic tests would have shown anything amiss, diabetes related or not. Had my last diabetic eye test in November and cataracts weren't mentioned, they said all was fine.

One site said diabetic eye tests wouldn't include looking for things like this, another said they do .

Hence my confusion. Do diabetic eye tests cover less than I thought ?
 
Pollylocks said:
Hence my confusion. Do diabetic eye tests cover less than I thought ?
Click to expand...
Yes.
They only cover things like retinopathy and maculopathy (with a possibility of other things but dont know), they do not cover anything else - the letter I normally get when I'm due to go does say to make sure you go to you opticians as normal as the eye screening checks are only for a few specific checks.
 
Yes.
Diabetic eye tests are not a substitute for the usual eye tests we get on the high street (ideally every couple of years) - they have different prioroities in each place.
 
Okay, thanks both for your quick replies. I did tell the optician what I had assumed re the diabetic tests and told him I belonged to this forum, he suggested I post for information in case anyone else thought the same as me
 
Diabetic eye tests such as retinal scan are typically provided through your diabetes team.
Within my area, there is a travelling team who visit my local surgery multiple times a year and proactively send me an appointment annually.
As others have said, this is different to the services available from high street optician.

If you are not getting this, I suggest talking to your GP.
 
After 30+ years of the annual diabetic clinic tests I had an eye test at a Tesco optician who said I had severe cataracts and offered me a referral to the local eye clinic.
At the eye clinic I was told that I had no issues with cataracts but one eye showed possible fluid behind a retina.
The long and the short of it - Diabetic clinic eye review is diabetic related items only - High Street Opticians are in it for the money and if it is glasses sometimes good and expensive but anything else go to the expert.

Paul T1 for 60+ years and still here so must be doing something right"
 
With the retinopathy test all they see is a photograph of the retina so if you have an eye problem that doesn't involve the retina there is no way they are going to detect it.
 
Hi there, @Pollylocks - I don't have any paperwork at the moment, but these days my letter (whether before, after or both) states the screening does not replace regular sight testing.
 
Until about 6 years ago the diabetic eye screening in my area was carried out by the local health authority and the test was comprehensive that included eye pressure test to detect glaucoma. Since then the service has been contracted out to a private provider who has restricted the test to simply photographing the retina for retinopathy. When I asked why wouldn’t they include measuring the eye pressure which takes less than a minute I was told that wasn’t their responsibility and I should see an optician for that!
 
As soon as I was diagnosed I was called for a test provided by the nhswhich photos the back of the eye for any damagecaused by the diabetes. it has always been made clear that I still need to have an eye test at an opticians every two years.
 
I have the NHS diabetic retinopathy screening annually. This is at a local treatment centre, and I get recalled each year.

I also have, ever since diagnosed T2 fourteen years ago, free NHS annual eye sight tests at an independent optician. The optician has the same diagnostic gadgets as the screening service, so I am tested for retinopathy, and glaucoma there too. I thought people with diabetes were entitled to annual eye sight tests, free on NHS?
 
This sounds very confusing. In Australia, I go to the opticians who takes retina photographs, does glaucoma and cataract assessment plus puts the drops in that dilate pupils for a better look. If any problems you get referred to the specialist. The test is free annually.
 
Hello. If you are lucky your high street optician will also do the retinal scan and examine your eyes carefully . I have had a high street optician who has a visiting ophthalmic surgeon , and you then get a very thorough exam , with contact or puff testing for glaucoma pressure changes. You pay a little extra for the retinal scan. A lot simpler and more convenient than going to a diabetic screening exam.
 
I used to have to go to hospital for the yearly screening but about 4 years ago it was contracted out to a local Optician and have to say the screening is far more intensive and he also carries out a normal eye test at the same time. I certainly have more confidence in his examination rather than the hospital.
 
@Pipp I haven’t paid for my eye tests since being T2 and my husband didn’t have to pay for his this time because he is over 60. I go to the local hospital for the retina scans.
 
Hi, I have cataracts too in both eyes and have had them for a few years now, my diabetic eye screening, months ago, showed the right one is getting worse, so Dr said it will need to be operated on, but we talk about that at my next appointment. I have found the opticians very thorough and helpful and my diabetes eye clinic too.
 

If cataract is getting worse then it would be wise to push for early op, @Robinredbreast .
Some Clinical Commissioning Groups are trying to save money.
https://www.bmj.com/content/365/bmj.l2326
 
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