Dreading my 1st retinal screening

Shan-Marie said:

I'm newly diagnosed with T2 diabetes that can be diet controlled. Today I received a letter for retinal screening. There was a leaflet inside explaining but it mentions not being able to see afterwards how long does this last and are you completely without vision.

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Don't worry about it, Shan-Marie. It's just like going to the optician, where they sometimes put some drops in your eye to make your pupils a bit wider to give them a better view - worst that'll happen is that you'll be a bit more sensitive to light for a few hours because of having larger pupils and might need to scrunch up your eyes or shade your view for a while. Don't drive. Maybe take sunglasses if it's bright where you are. A lot of the testers don't bother with the drops at all if they can get a good enough snap without it. None of this is remotely painful.

I travelled to my first appt for this nearly a year ago (just got my appt for my second one as it happens) by bus as I was advised not to drive. It just makes your vision a bit blurry. I was advised to wear sunglasses afterwards too, but managed to negotiate the bus and short walk home no problem.

Definitely nothing to worry about.

It would be wise to take two things with you. A pair of sunglasses and a freind. Otherwise it is a quick and painless procedure. I have poor vision and my eyesight was affected for a few hours, it is the light from sunshine or bright indoor light that can affect us (the drops dilate the pupils so the pics can be taken and the dilation means more light can enter the eye causing us to squint but it is not painful, or it wasn't for me anyway).
You should get the results inside one month, mine took about eight days, if I recall.

Shan-Marie said:

I'm newly diagnosed with T2 diabetes that can be diet controlled. Today I received a letter for retinal screening. There was a leaflet inside explaining but it mentions not being able to see afterwards how long does this last and are you completely without vision.

Click to expand...

Definitely worth asking if they'd consider not using the drops - that will take the main unpleasant element away.

I had my first one a few months ago and the person doing it offered to try it without the drops (I didn't ask her, she suggested it) and it was fine.

My mum says she hates the drops, so I told her to ask if they can try it without on her recent appointment, she did ask and the person agreed and it seemed to go okay.

But of course they may insist, so it's best to be prepared, especially by not driving. I did drive and parked my car half an hour walk away by a shop, so I could walk back slowly and have a look around the shop to kill and hour or two afterwards if needed, but I didn't need to.

Shan-Marie said:

I'm newly diagnosed with T2 diabetes that can be diet controlled. Today I received a letter for retinal screening. There was a leaflet inside explaining but it mentions not being able to see afterwards how long does this last and are you completely without vision.

Click to expand...

Hi welcome to the forum.

Been having then for years...... Don't drive to & from. Carry dark glasses & a peaked hat. (Light sensitivity.)
All the eye drops do is cause the pupils to dilate to get a better picture of the retina.. should wear off after a couple of hours? ( 4 at most?)
You won't be completely without vision. Just blurred & light sensitive for a short while...

Daunting. i know. but you will be a pro after the first go.!

Good luck!

Hi. I've had retinopathy tests for many years now. They are quick, simple and for me the drops are painless. I can take up to 6 hours or so for the blurred vision to fade but you can see but not to read or drive. Sunglasses are almost essential due to the dilated pupils. Do take your normal glasses along to the appointment.

Daibell said:

Hi. I've had retinopathy tests for many years now. They are quick, simple and for me the drops are painless. I can take up to 6 hours or so for the blurred vision to fade but you can see but not to read or drive. Sunglasses are almost essential due to the dilated pupils. Do take your normal glasses along to the appointment.

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Good point about taking glasses. I just wanted to add that it's the glasses for distance vision that are needed rather than reading glasses. Of course, if someone has varifocals, the distance prescription is built into the lens so that's fine.