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Diabetic eye screening

Ricku2

Member
Messages
20
Location
London
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
I had my 2nd scan today so have to wait 3 to 4 weeks for the results, when I was checking my appointment details a Pop up on the page said that from now on scans are going to be every 2 years instead of every year, unless they find a problem, what are your thoughts on this? Personally I think it is important to be done every year as 2 years if a problem starts it's going to be likely to be worse if found later rather than sooner. I'm guessing that it's a decision by the government to save money rather than someones sight
 
I agree it's a bit of a jump to two years, however, it depends on the context. Assuming we're talking about diabetic retinopathy, then if I've not had any indication of retinopathy and I have a "good" A1c through the year, then it's unlikely I will need another scan. If after 2 years some retinopathy is found despite good A1c, then it will be early stage anyways and they can get on and treat it.

The economics of public healthcare is monstrously complex and they've just increased the budget for closed loop systems (CLS) for (some) diabetics by £14 million. Somewhere in that giant excel file there will be a formula showing how the new CLS recipients are less likely to need retinal scans and hence fewer scans and ...a saving of over £14 million. Or some such justification.
 
In my province government funded eye exams were recently changed to 18 months from 12. If you have certain medical conditions requiring more frequent exams, then they are covered every 12, diabetics included.
 
This has been the case in some areas for quite a few years.
You can still get check ups at the optician each year*. This does not include a retinal scan but can flag concerns.

*Last time I went to the optician, they told me it should be every two years unless you notice "a significant change" and were willing to just tick the "significant change" box for me,
 
My test seems to be once a year. Last test small changes but no recall, same as the year before. Haven't spoken to my gp but I am suspecting its the left eye as its always been a pain in the you know what lol
 
I have a scan every year although I have no indications of retinopathy and a normal BG. That's a waste both of health service time and my time. Decisions like this, on the clinical appropriateness of screening and how often it should happen, are in any case not taken by the Government but instead on advice from senior medics via organisations like the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence.
 
May be it varies in different areas. I’m still getting them yearly where I live.
 
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