LittleSue
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 647
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Pump
Last year I received a letter saying a wonderful new service had been set up for diabetic eye screening. It would now be done via digital images which would be sent to a central point for clinical review (2nd opinion/quality control) in addition to review by the optician performing the test. Also in future the images could be compared with the earlier ones to track changes, even if you changed opticians. Another advantage for patients (they said) was that a reminder would be sent when the next test is due.
Months later it was reported that this central office had lost a memory stick containing patients' details....
When I lived in Bucks 15 years ago they were already using digital images, comparing with previous ones on a massive screen. It was done in diabetic clinic, no eyedrops were needed so your eyes recovered in seconds instead of hours. Very disappointed when I moved, to find it was back to the eye drops, but they were promising the digital system within 2 years. 5 years later my optician was one of the first locally to have the new equipment but was not allowed to use it until everyone had it. Despite only needing to take a digital picture, they still use eyedrops to dilate the pupils for 3 hours, so you cannot drive or use a PC the rest of the day.
My next test is due next week. No reminder so far. All they've done is lose my personal details.
Call me cynical, but I'm trusted to store, administer and adjust dose of medication which is lethal in overdose, but not trusted to find a suitable optician, remember which month my eye test is due and make an appointment [edit - somehow I have managed to do exactly that without help for over 20 years]. At diabetic clinic (twice yearly) they assume you need a retinopathy check and will put drops in your eyes unless you can prove you've had it done recently (yet the consultant concedes the optician would do a more thorough job.) Most opticians also send reminder cards. It's not easy to slip through the net even if you forget.
Call me cynical, but apart from the 2nd opinion/clinical review, this seems like a huge waste of taxpayers money.
Months later it was reported that this central office had lost a memory stick containing patients' details....
When I lived in Bucks 15 years ago they were already using digital images, comparing with previous ones on a massive screen. It was done in diabetic clinic, no eyedrops were needed so your eyes recovered in seconds instead of hours. Very disappointed when I moved, to find it was back to the eye drops, but they were promising the digital system within 2 years. 5 years later my optician was one of the first locally to have the new equipment but was not allowed to use it until everyone had it. Despite only needing to take a digital picture, they still use eyedrops to dilate the pupils for 3 hours, so you cannot drive or use a PC the rest of the day.
My next test is due next week. No reminder so far. All they've done is lose my personal details.
Call me cynical, but I'm trusted to store, administer and adjust dose of medication which is lethal in overdose, but not trusted to find a suitable optician, remember which month my eye test is due and make an appointment [edit - somehow I have managed to do exactly that without help for over 20 years]. At diabetic clinic (twice yearly) they assume you need a retinopathy check and will put drops in your eyes unless you can prove you've had it done recently (yet the consultant concedes the optician would do a more thorough job.) Most opticians also send reminder cards. It's not easy to slip through the net even if you forget.
Call me cynical, but apart from the 2nd opinion/clinical review, this seems like a huge waste of taxpayers money.
