• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

New to this

Major Buckmaster said:
Speaking of the eye test. (Last question promise!) Can you have it done at the opticians? Is it quicker results?
Click to expand...
Ask as many questions as you like!
You can ask an optician to do test, but unless you are already experiencing eye problems like blurry vision it's not urgent, and personally I would wait for the retinopathy test at the eye clinic which is usually within four weeks.
 
Major Buckmaster said:
Speaking of the eye test. (Last question promise!) Can you have it done at the opticians? Is it quicker results?
Click to expand...
Ask away!! That’s how we all learn

The eye exam is much more thorough at the hospital as they dilate your pupil so can see a much larger area. Definitely worth doing.
 
Flora123 said:
Ask away!! That’s how we all learn

The eye exam is much more thorough at the hospital as they dilate your pupil so can see a much larger area. Definitely worth doing.
Click to expand...

I had mine done at the optician and had my pupils dilated ;)
 
Rachox said:
I had mine done at the optician and had my pupils dilated ;)
Click to expand...

That is very unusual as they don’t like dilating pupils unless they absolute must. So I was told by both opticians local.
 
Flora123 said:
That is very unusual as they don’t like dilating pupils unless they absolute must. So I was told by both opticians local.
Click to expand...

They did the whole thing, told me not to drive there and to take sunglasses, even if it wasn’t sunny :watching:
 
Yes I had that done last year as I had a floater and a flash in my eye so went straight to the optician. He did a thorough eye exam, dilation and all. Asked if I was diabetic. I said at the time I don't know to be sure basically but don't think I am etc etc.

I was in there for a few hours and he was great. He couldn't see any bleeds or scarring then. I assume looking back he was looking for signs of retinopathy etc.

I just wondered whether it was possible to have it done there to speed up the results, but I have one booked for 15th oct at my surgery.
 
Major Buckmaster said:
Yes I had that done last year as I had a floater and a flash in my eye so went straight to the optician. He did a thorough eye exam, dilation and all. Asked if I was diabetic. I said at the time I don't know to be sure basically but don't think I am etc etc.

I was in there for a few hours and he was great. He couldn't see any bleeds or scarring then. I assume looking back he was looking for signs of retinopathy etc.

I just wondered whether it was possible to have it done there to speed up the results, but I have one booked for 15th oct at my surgery.
Click to expand...
It's best to go to your official diabetic eye screening appointment so they can keep the images on record and use them for comparison next year. The people who grade the images in the eye screening programme are specialists in spotting diabetic retinopathy and have strict quality control. (Although opticians are employed in some parts of the country to take photos for retinal screening, they need extra training to be able to grade for the eye screening programme.)
 
Sorry another question. I lied. That was not the last one.

With regards to meat, mince etc. Does it need to be 5% fat or is ordinary mince fine?
 
Major Buckmaster said:
Sorry another question. I lied. That was not the last one.

With regards to meat, mince etc. Does it need to be 5% fat or is ordinary mince fine?
Click to expand...

Don’t worry about asking questions ;)
Ordinary mince is better if you’re cutting carbs, as you need the fat as an energy source in place of the carbs.
 
Aw you guys are great! Thank you. I am off meat shopping today. Will stock up!
 
Major Buckmaster said:
Sorry another question. I lied. That was not the last one.

With regards to meat, mince etc. Does it need to be 5% fat or is ordinary mince fine?
Click to expand...

There will be many, many more questions as time goes by. You're quite welcome to ask them, there's no limit on the amount allowed. ;)

Good luck meat shopping! (I know it takes some getting used to to see fat as good in a diet, but there you have it. The more, the better. Also because it slows down any sugar spikes you might have! Yay, fat!)
 
Thanks.

Is this the correct meter to buy? Which one do I get mg/dl or mol/L??
 
Major Buckmaster said:
Thanks.

Is this the correct meter to buy? Which one do I get mg/dl or mol/L??
Click to expand...

You need a mmol/l in the U.K.

Here are some meters that are popular on the forum:

Taken from a post by @Bluetit1802 as she wrote it so nicely:


The most popular meters for self funding T2's are the Codefree and the Tee2 because the strips are much cheaper than other meters, and you need a lot of strips. You can't buy them in pharmacies.


Try here for the Codefree meter

http://homehealth-uk.com/product-category/blood-glucose/blood-glucose-monitor/


and here for the extra strips

http://homehealth-uk.com/all-products/sd-codefree-test-strips-to-be-used-only-with-the-sd-monitor/


There are discount codes if you buy in bulk.

5 packs 264086

10 packs 975833


The Tee2 is here

http://spirit-healthcare.co.uk/product/tee2-plus-blood-glucose-meter/


Don’t forget to check the box that you have diabetes so you can buy VAT free. (for either meter)
 
Prem51 said:
Ask as many questions as you like!
You can ask an optician to do test, but unless you are already experiencing eye problems like blurry vision it's not urgent, and personally I would wait for the retinopathy test at the eye clinic which is usually within four weeks.
Click to expand...

In my case, the initial retinopathy screening scans were done about 6 months post diagnosis. I had had a routine sigh test in the interim. Specsavers do essentially the same test/screen as the retinopathy service, but I understand the retinopathy service is checked twice.
 
Back
Top