Retinal Eye Scans- Are appointments offered on time?

[Skylinks]

In 2005, when I was first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, I started having retinal eye scans in November (every 12 months) with my optician who had all the relevant equipment and I received the verdict at the time of the scan. Three or four years ago the burden of doing the scans has been removed from local opticians and put in the hands of an NHS hospital in Yarmouth. I live in Ipswich but they arrange for a team to visit Ipswich to do all the local scans. My problem is it is no longer annual appointments. My dates have been:-
xx/11/06
17/01/07
14/02/08 and now
08/06/09
This is hardly an annual check-up. Is anyone else experiencing the same problem?
Is it now assumed that a 16 month gap between scans is now acceptable?

John

 

[999sugarbabe]

I expect it's like everything else in this country... dependant on local PCT funds and policies :roll:

If you are nearing being over 12 months since a test I would contact your PCT directly and ask them what their policy is on screening, remind them annual tests are recommended, and if need be contact the hospital who now deal with the tests directly and "remind them" you haven't been tested since whenever.
It's possibly the case that sheer weight of numbers has increased the appointment load so much that they are hard pressed to keep up with demand.

 

[viv1969]

I was DX in March 08 and had test in May 08.

I have my second test today urgh!

 

[cugila]

I get mine every 12 months, regular as clockwork. Have done for years.

 

[kegstore]

I think it may also be subject to the vagaries of administrative incompetence. The medical care at my eye hospital cannot be faulted, but their appointment system leaves much to be desired and is a mystery to many. I constantly have to remind them that I am still around, and I am supposed to be seen every 6 months. Not a problem for me, but I worry about those who have not "engaged" with their situation, as this route leads only one way...

 

[Trinkwasser]

It was the arrogant sod at James Padgett who messed us around and left my mother to go blind in one eye. Did the same thing, "forgot" to call her back for an appointment until it was too late.

He is supposed to be a top retinal expert but probably doesn't have the funds to treat more than a fraction of his patients.

I use my local optician for the scans, he recommended one of the opthalmologists at Norwich and Norfolk but I can't recall his name now.

For everything else we use Ipswich for preference (more user friendly and nearer to relations so they can visit) but have no experience of their opthalmology, does this mean they don't actually have a separate department there?

 

[ebobeye]

There is lots of talk about 'retinal detachment' or 'detached retina' - watch this video which shows you exactly what happens in the eye:

http://www.youreyeguide.co.uk/atoz/retinaldetachment.html

 

[totsy]

i too get mine every yr in the first week of december, they are very good and also show me the pictures afterwards

 

[welshboy007]

Hi, I have been told by my NHS trust ( Cardiff and Vale ) that my retinal scan will be every 18 months from now on, and not every 12 months as it was and has been for the last three years. When I asked why, I was told that 18 months is well within a safe margin to see any changes in the retina.

 

[ShyGirl]

There is lots of talk about 'retinal detachment' or 'detached retina' - watch this video which shows you exactly what happens in the eye:

http://www.youreyeguide.co.uk/atoz/retinaldetachment.html

I won't be watching that video , it's important to know about your health but scaring yourself won't help.

 

[ShyGirl]

:x :x

 

[ShyGirl]

:thumbdown:

 

[Trinkwasser]

What exactly do you mean? I had my last appointment almost three weeks ago and hoped I would have received my next appointment date by now. Do you think they have forgotten me?

Might be worth ringing them and asking.

Mother had dry AMD in one eye and wet AMD in the other. According to then current NHS guidelines the wet AMD MUST not be treated unless it is in both eyes and then only one eye could be treated.

He was supposed to be calling her back in six months.

During that time the parameters were changed such that one eye *could* now be treated. This is propbably why he didn't call her back for about 18 months by which time the eye had degenerated to the point it was "too bad to be treated".

I tried to persuade her to go private and get a second opinion but she wouldn't have the authority of this nasty little man questioned.

Sometimes they just make mistakes or are too busy, sometimes they do this deliberately to save money by deciding which patients do not deserve treatment, or to reduce the appearance of their waiting lists without altering the actual wait.

I'd see if you can get an answer out of them before panicking.

 

[oxset]

Hi,
I recentley had my annual screening (Havering PCT) this being my second year.
I received my `invitation`letter and a list of opticians who were offering retinal screening, six weeks later I received a reminder that I had still not taken up the offer of retinal screening.
Atleast the PCT are keeping track and offer those who require screening the oppertunity to use an optician of their own choice, and even some opticians do home screening.
Any way had me screening, optician took about 5 pictures per eye (kept closing them on reflex), but she did show me the pictures and explained what was in the photos, including that everything was ok.

As my PCT supplied me with a list of Retinal Screeners, I was able to book my appointment within 48 hours.
Under NHS Choices policy shouldn`t all PCT`s offer this type of service for screening ????

 

[kegstore]

Seems to be a real lottery, as with all things NHS. It's not a bad idea to set a reminder for when you've been TOLD by your specialist he/she expects to see you again. Mobile phone, Outlook, Entourage, iCal or whatever you use. Then when your appointment letter hasn't arrived you can pick up the phone and give them earache! Works for all appointments, not just eye ones. This kind of stuff is just too important to let slip?