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Can I refuse to have drops when I have my eyes photographed

J

jane1950

Well-Known Member
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Last year, they said I didnt need the drops, but to wear dark glasses for a few hours before the photography as this would make my pupils larger, and they got a perfect photograph.
This year I have moved from that area, and the screening programme here says they have to used the drops, can I refuse them when I get there, or as it is further away than I anticipated, can I be referred to an optician who says my doctor can refer me to them to have the photographs done, as they are nearer,
 
Not everyone has the drops, but the pupils do need to be enlarged to get good enough images.

Yes, you can use an optician, but they must be able to do this and have the correct machinery. Not all opticians have this machinery and only offer basic tests. You would need to check.

Do you have a problem with the drops?
 
My optician has a flashy compuerised machine (360 degree something or other) that gives a better look at the back of the eye than the photographs do but without the need for drops and he is also one of the opticians the local NHS use to review the photos taken during normal diabetic eye screens.
The downside is that the proceedure is not available oh the NHS and last time I had it done (about 3 years ago ) it cost £25.
Strangely the local NHS having initially approved the use of these machines, suddenly didn't want opticians to do it that way so issued blanket advice against it ( never did find out why) but they have recently reversed their position,
 
Hi

Yes you can refuse the drops provided that your pupils enlarge enough to make the photograph of sufficient quality for the diagnostic purposes. I have the same discussion with the photographer every time I go and they always relent eventually - though usually with the veiled threats if it doesn't work and such like. I live in a small village that is a fair way from the health centre where the screening is done and would not like to wait until the following Tuesday (yes the bus is weekly if at all) for the next bus back home
 
My optometrist will not do these tests with out putting drops in to enlarge the pupil etc,
 
Of course you can refuse to have drops put in your eyes. The thing is though the drops are put there to give diabetic eye specialists the best chance of early detection of diabetic retinopathy. The earlier this condition is detected then you have the best chance of early treatment and hopefully full recovery. However unpleasant the drops may feel I suspect that they are a lot less nasty than the condition that they are applied to help identify.
 
The drops do sting a little, but is not too bad. The problem is getting to/from the test centre. I got my wife to drive me there. They advise wearing sunglasses afterwards and your eye get dilated.
 
I really don't like the drops and find the visual changes, even though they're temporary, quite disturbing. This year (in May, I think) I said I would like to try without the drops, but was told there had been too many retests, where folks had decided the swerve the drops. so it was with drops or no test.

Frankly, I just buckled down and had the drops to get it over with, then settled into being royally grumpy for the few hours my visual acuity and photo-sensitivity were hanging around.

I can do a very mean grumpy. :)
 
DCUKMod said:
I really don't like the drops and find the visual changes, even though they're temporary, quite disturbing. This year (in May, I think) I said I would like to try without the drops, but was told there had been too many retests, where folks had decided the swerve the drops. so it was with drops or no test.

Frankly, I just buckled down and had the drops to get it over with, then settled into being royally grumpy for the few hours my visual acuity and photo-sensitivity were hanging around.

I can do a very mean grumpy. :)
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I have the same discussion each time I go to get the eye test. About six years ago I had it done at a hospital the drops didn't hurt and barely lasted anytime at all. I then went to a walk in centre for it and it was like she had poured acid into my eyes! I had to walk home it was hurrendous! The next year I asked why? I was told they didn't use the nice drops for long and were back on another kind - they also said some give you a good old squirt and some use less....It wasn't too bad last time - I don't think she squirted as much in tbh. I don't blame people who don't want to have them in but I wouldn't want the chance of having to go back again
 
Having screening without dilating drops is riskier than screening with drops. The images are not as clear and although a grader may think that the images are assessable, sight-threatening retinopathy is more likely to be missed.
 
jane1950 said:
Last year, they said I didnt need the drops, but to wear dark glasses for a few hours before the photography as this would make my pupils larger, and they got a perfect photograph.
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Not heard of the technique being used before.

jane1950 said:
his year I have moved from that area, and the screening programme here says they have to used the drops, can I refuse them when I get there, or as it is further away than I anticipated,
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I doubt it will be open to negotiation, if it were me I'd just have the drops and be done with, having your eyes screened regularly is important @jane1950

jane1950 said:
can I be referred to an optician who says my doctor can refer me to them to have the photographs done, as they are nearer,
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The scan at the Opticians isn't as detailed as the one done at the Eye Screening Service, I was told this by an Optician at Specsavers at my last appointment.
 
But if the environment is suitably prepared and not in bright sunlight, darkness is a bit much to expect , then our pupils dilate naturally anyway, some more than others. Even after the flash I need only to wait 2 or 3 minutes and they are back to photographically suitable size.
 
I have had 4 of these tests all with the national screening service. I have always had the drops. They do sting when first put in, but for me it wears off fairly quickly. Afterwards my hubby drives me home (10 minutes) and by the time we arrive, any visual disturbance has gone. I don't wear the sun glasses as recommended. I just wear my normal reactor light glasses. I guess I am lucky.
 
I have naturally large pupils anyway and find I can hardly see for at least 5 hours after the drops. I mostly get away with not having the drops but if they insist then I'm not going to argue. It's my eyes they're taking care of.
 
I recently drove to my hospital for my annual review. I wasn't told I'd be having an eye test. She put drops in my eyes I didn't realise they were the ones that changed pupil size. She didn't ask me if I'd driven to the appointment. I only realised what these drops were when she mentioned that one of my pupils was still the same size (I have something called Adies pupil where the pupil doesn't dilate. I've had this for several years so I thought it would be in my hospital file somewhere!). She photographed them anyway and I drove home.
 
Sarah69 said:
I recently drove to my hospital for my annual review. I wasn't told I'd be having an eye test. She put drops in my eyes I didn't realise they were the ones that changed pupil size. She didn't ask me if I'd driven to the appointment. I only realised what these drops were when she mentioned that one of my pupils was still the same size (I have something called Adies pupil where the pupil doesn't dilate. I've had this for several years so I thought it would be in my hospital file somewhere!). She photographed them anyway and I drove home.
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Wow can't believe she sprung that on you and didn't ask if you'd drove! I am really suspicious person there wouldn't be anything going in my eyes that I wasn't prepared for . You took it well! :)
 
Bon83 said:
Wow can't believe she sprung that on you and didn't ask if you'd drove! I am really suspicious person there wouldn't be anything going in my eyes that I wasn't prepared for . You took it well! :)
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No no mention of it! I'm still waiting 9 days on from my appointment what my hba1c and other blood results were!
 
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