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Eye Test

xendistar

Well-Known Member
Messages
133
Location
South Coast UK
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
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Diabetes
I got my letter through today to book an eye test to check for diabetic retinopathy. Been advised not to drive as they put drops in your eyes that can affect your vision for several hours. Anybody else had this done? Ok I guess a lot have, anybody fill me in on what the procedure is?
 
Not much more to tell really, I just got a lift to the hospital and they weren't busy so I got seen early. It's like an ordinary eye test except that in sunlight afterwards you need sunglasses for a while. If it's raining you're in luck! They told me straight away the image was ok.
 
It is a routine test we all have once a year.

They squirt some drops in your eyes then you have to wait 10 minutes for the drops to work. Then they ask you to read a chart, similar to ordinary eye tests. Then they take photos of the back of your eyes. Then you go home. You are advised not to drive if your vision is a bit blurred, and to wear sunglasses in case the bright light outside hurts your eyes.

None of this affected me at all. My eyes didn't hurt, didn't go blurry, and I could see perfectly well. Nothing hurt at all. I couldn't have the results the same day as it was a mobile clinic. I was told a doctor would look at the images and I would get a letter in 6 weeks. The letter came about 2 weeks later.
 
Forgot to mention, mine is at an opticians of my choice not the local hospital eye department.

OK well not likey to be before xmas now but will get on and get checked out, thanks
 
xendistar said:
Forgot to mention, mine is at an opticians of my choice not the local hospital eye department.

OK well not likey to be before xmas now but will get on and get checked out, thanks
Click to expand...

Not all opticians do retinal eye screening.
 
I had one at hospital involving the drops.. But stingy for a couple of days on and off but not too bad. Can't say I needed the sunglasses. Then I had one done at Opticians as part of routine eye test. No drops and told me they looked fine straight away.
 
I had my test in the summer. The sunlight was agony and I could not see and needed help. Not a nice experience at all.
 
Worst time of the year for it is late autumn when the sun is low and it's a bright sunny day. If you have to walk towards the sun, you can't see. Last time I had it done, just keeping my eyes open caused them to water profusely and loads of pain.
 
Hiya,
The test is fine... the drops they put in your eyes sting a little when they first go in and your eyes will be sensitive to the light for a few hours after. I always take a pair of sunglasses with me and put them on when I leave the appointment...
I am sure you will be fine
 
xendistar said:
The NHS diabetic eye screening programme send me a list of over40 to choose from
Click to expand...

Another case of NHS being privatised, methinks.

I have similar for hearing aids, no longer in NHS clinic, but Specsavers.

As for the retinopathy test, it is important as it can pick up changes that can be treated before eyesight is damaged. So make sure you have the test. For me I have a slight headache for a few hours after NHS centre test. Make sure I have annual eyesight test at optician too, and they have the up to date retinopathy screening machine there too. That way I have a thorough examination of eyes twice a year.
 
Pretty much what everyone else says. I get a list of opticians that can carry out the procedure then just book an appointment with one. I now get my standard sight test done at the same time, they do that first, put the drops in then do my husbands sight test while the drops work. For me the drops do sting a bit. The drops make your pupil open up so that they can take a photo of the back of the eye which only takes a few minutes. I normally get an initial answer from the optician as to whether he thinks there is a problem (so far no issues) then a letter a few days later from the hospital to confirm it. After the appointment the world is blurred and the sunlight painful, I forgot my sunglasses last time and my OH had to guide me back to the car as I could barely open my eyes.

I do have a (still undiagnosed) problem with my eyes which meant I spent a lot of my childhood visiting various eye specialists and having similar drops in so they could check the eye to see if they could spot the problem. I wonder if the memory of childhood experience makes the drops seem worse than they are as I expect them to hurt.
 
Have just returned from having mine done. Easiest yet. Bright light a bit uncomfortable, and vision a bit blurred, but it is less than 2 hours ago, and I can see to type. Unless I am deluded and this is full of typo errors.
 
Pipp said:
Have just returned from having mine done. Easiest yet. Bright light a bit uncomfortable, and vision a bit blurred, but it is less than 2 hours ago, and I can see to type. Unless I am deluded and this is full of typo errors.
Click to expand...
Yep !
 
As the drops dilate the pupils of the eye it's important not to drive or operate machinery until your vision returns to normal, good luck and hope all is well xendistar.
 
Well booked mine this afternoon (well wife phoned up I was busy working), next available date............................................26th Jan!!! I was hoping for before Xmas.

Fortunately it is a local bus route so the car can stay at home

Thanks for the info all
 

Glad you are having such good results. I have been having these tests by NHS clinicians since 2005. I have had HbA1c results below diabetic range for over 3 years now, but still attend the annual screenings. No problems detected. I am not sure if I will be automatically recalled next year. Changes in the system, more privatisation and cuts. Discussed with the clinician today. Her opinion is that having to attend annually encourages people to control their diabetes with diet and exercise choices etc.

I don't really want to stop having the screenings, but if they are no longer available on NHS, due to my non-diabetic BG readings I will make sure I have them privately at the optician annual sight checks.
 
I didn't need the drops as I was told my pupils were 'HUGE'! lol
I felt like asking - is that a good thing or a bad thing?!
 
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