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Retinopathy Screening

Re: Eye screening Q

Well, I got back safely!

I asked the screening lady whether she used the same drops as my optician, and she does - only one type of drops used, and only one strength, she thinks. It stung quite surprisingly - never does when my optician does it, we decided he must use an anaesthetic drop before the dilating one goes in.

It was only the camera at this check - it's a mobile unit that comes to the local surgery. All she did was ask me to read the normal board with my lenses in, ask me a few questions eg about my medication, any glaucoma, put the drops in after I'd taken my lenses out, then photographed my retinas - twice each eye. I get all the peering inside, glaucoma checks etc done by my own optician at my annual check.

I waited until I could do the driving test number plate check before driving home - about an hour and a half after the drops. Glad I had my shades with me - the sunniest day of the year so far!

Results in about 2 weeks.

Viv :)
 
Re: Eye screening Q

viviennem said:
Well, I got back safely!

I asked the screening lady whether she used the same drops as my optician, and she does - only one type of drops used, and only one strength, she thinks.
Click to expand...
round our way, they use much stronger drops at the eye hospital compared with the optician. Or maybe they use more of them? Anyway it knocks your eyes out for a whole day not just a few hours.

My mum told me once (and who am I to argue with my mum?) that the stuff they put in your eyes originally comes from the Belladonna plant. That's why the plant is called Bella donna (beautiful lady) because centuries ago women put a little bit in their eyes to make them look big and alluring. Anyone else come across that story or is my mum making it up? I have to say, it would make you look beautiful if you could keep your eyes open, but the light sensitivity makes me squint in a particularly ugly looking manner.
 
Re: Eye screening Q

You're perfectly right about the belladonna - also known as Deadly Nightshade (atropa bella-donna). It's related to the solanum family, which includes the potato, and the daturas. They are all poisonous or hallucinogenic to a greater or lesser extent - which is why you should never eat the green bits on potatoes which have been exposed to light, or the little yellow fruits they sometimes have.

Belladonna used to be used in the early pharmaceutical industry,and I believe still is in herbal medicine and homeopathy. I once lived on a place where it had been grown around the kitchen garden as a crop - medium-sized straggly thornless bushes, drab purple-brown flowers, and inviting-looking shiny black berries about the size of a sloe. It's the juice from the berries that medieval ladies used to run into their eyes to dilate the pupils and give them big dark eyes. They'd have been in candle-light so not so hard on the eyes. It's also very handy for poisoning your enemies!

I have a wonderful herbal by Mrs M Grieve ("A Modern Herbal") and it's quite astonishing what you can kill people with. Bramble leaves, for instance. Rhubarb leaves. Daffodil bulbs. The list is endless! And foxgloves (digitalis) - in the right quantity, good for the heart. Too much - lethal!

Sorry - I do go on, don't I? :lol:

Viv :)
 
Screening results - had a letter from the screening service which just said 'satisfactory', so went to my diabetes specialist GP for more in-depth information. Everything is okay.

So: feet okay, eyes okay, bg readings "on target" my GP says - I want them lower! What's left?

Booked in for next HbA1c/lipids/kidney/liver/thyroid in late March (will I have any blood left? :lol: )

Oh - and I'm testing too much! :roll: Too expensive! :shock: Quelle surprise! :lol: :lol: :lol:

But I told her I was researching and she's okay about it for now. Back to my nice, friendly, understanding, co-operative GP next time!

I did persuade her to refer me to the podiatrist, which is great, as I can't afford to go privately.

Viv :D
 
Thanks to everyone who's posted details of their experience - I've had my test - went to a new optician 5 minutes' walk from my flat, very professional, very understanding - the drops stung which was a surprise, but thaks to the advice I'd received on here I fely very relaxed - wore my sunglasses on the way home. had a cup of tea then a nap and woke a few hours later feeling fine, with eyesight back to "normal" :) Optician reckons there is no damage from the Diabetes, I just need new lenses to cope with "Anno Domini" (well, I am 50!)
 
Eye screening results - worried!!

Hi,

Had my first ever photo's taken of the back of my eyes a month ago and receoved results in the post today.

The letter states that there have been some changes caused by diabetes but no action is needed at this point and they will see me in 12 months. The underneath it has notes to my Optomotrist that show I have MODERATE diabetic retinopathy in both eyes!!! My control is always very good and had it said MILD I would have worried but moderate is scaring the sh*t out of me! I can't see my GP / Diabetic Team as it's the weekend.

Anyone have any ideas if I should be worried - because I am very worried!

Thanks

JC
 
Hi Joel

I would advise ringing up the screening centre (use the phone number on your letter) and asking to speak to one of the screeners as they will be best placed to go through your files and tell you what's been found.

I did this the other day and got lots of information from the screener - I think they know more about this then the average GP.
 
eye screening it helps

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi_77R21ZlE
Ive been for mine have you
Diabetic eye conditions dont have any early signs, but it can lead to sight loss and other eye conditions. These can only be picked up by Diabetic Eye Screening. This is not an eye test but a screening that can give you an early warning that something could be done to slow any diabetic eye problems that may happen.
Oh its me in the video . as you know I am type 1 diabetic ,so the screening is nothing to worry about.. i have had it many many times
 
Re: Eye screening results - worried!!

joelcam said:
Hi,

Had my first ever photo's taken of the back of my eyes a month ago and receoved results in the post today.

The letter states that there have been some changes caused by diabetes but no action is needed at this point and they will see me in 12 months. The underneath it has notes to my Optomotrist that show I have MODERATE diabetic retinopathy in both eyes!!! My control is always very good and had it said MILD I would have worried but moderate is scaring the sh*t out of me! I can't see my GP / Diabetic Team as it's the weekend.

Anyone have any ideas if I should be worried - because I am very worried!

Thanks

JC
Click to expand...
If your optician notices changes on your retina then they will refer you to an eye clinic. Better safe than sorry.
Diabetic eye screening is an accredited programme. The images taken are looked at by experts and consultants and if you need to be seen by a consultant then you are given an appointment, otherwise you will be given a follow up screening .If your called back next year for diabetic eye screening then you can be sure that all is ok and no action be taken. Eye screening is different from an eye test at an optician, and vice versa .But still have both these tests done. A pain but worth it. I wouldnt want the other options
 
tonyrees68 said:
eye screening it helps

Ive been for mine have you
Diabetic eye conditions dont have any early signs, but it can lead to sight loss and other eye conditions. These can only be picked up by Diabetic Eye Screening. This is not an eye test but a screening that can give you an early warning that something could be done to slow any diabetic eye problems that may happen.
Oh its me in the video . as you know I am type 1 diabetic ,so the screening is nothing to worry about.. i have had it many many times
Click to expand...

I had that test at my opticians , but someone on here said it can't have been the same as my eyes were not blurry very long . But that is the test i had for sure .
 
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