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Retinopathy test

M

MaryJ

Well-Known Member
Messages
842
Hi all

Got my first retinopathy screening tomorrow.

2 questions, which I'm sure I asked but can't remember

1) How long ish does the whole thing take?
2) How long after shouldn't you drive?

ta

Mary x
 
MaryJ,
The test is basically (as they do it at my clinic):
1)Rudimentary eye test (read lines on optician chart)
2)Get eye drops (stings like mad)
3)Wait 15-20 min.
3)2 min eye photography session.
4)Stumble out into sunshine with dark glasses.

I generally find that if I am tested after 11am, have to write off driving until at least 7pm and don't risk it that day. :cry: :cry: :cry:
 
I didnt get any drops for my test, It depends on your age I was told anybody under 40 doesnt need them.
 
louiseb said:
I didnt get any drops for my test, It depends on your age I was told anybody under 40 doesnt need them.
Click to expand...
I have had the test OK without drops when done by non nHS testers but NHS always insist on the test as they don't need to think - just do it! :twisted:
 
Mine is exactly the same as Mary says......Oh and I usually have the first one dialated more ( because it stings, when they do the second eye you tend to blink a bit quicker and not as much of the solution goes in) My Little boy finds it funny that my eyes look so weird :lol:
 
No they always do it with eye drops, because without the iris fully dilated, they can't photo the whole of the back of the eye..

Has I've had many a bash at repeating 'No' eye drops to no avail.. As they take an unusual time to wear off around about 8 hours, which I can't do anything not even watch telly because it hurts my eyes, and was getting banging headache's...

But several appointments ago when I went, my request wasn't exactly granted but...

After talking to the nurse, she said try the children's eye drops, which are half strength see how they go (could they get the photo) and if it wore off afters a lot quicker..

And these are a lot better, my eyes are back to normal an hour or so later, and no banging headache phew...
 
Thank you all for your input much appreciated.

Will update you on the moro


Mary x
 
I didn't get eye drops either. Apparently the Edinburgh Eye Pavillion have a super-duper camera which they visit the local GP surgeries with. I'd worked myself into a bit of a tizzy for nothing.

I hope it goes well for you tomorrow.
 
Hi. I agree with all the above; don't forget your sun glasses as well as all your normal glasses. I don't find the drops sting much for me.
 
jopar said:
No they always do it with eye drops, because without the iris fully dilated, they can't photo the whole of the back of the eye..
Click to expand...



Much the same here, always had the eye drops and a wait of 20-30 minutes before being called for the examination, the don't drive message is a must and wearing sun-glasses is good advice as everything seems so bright when you venture outside.
 
Well back from my non - retinopthy test.

Went to Boots for the appt that's been arranged for 6 weeks, to be told machine not working (the diabetic system not Boots' system - begins with V).

No apology, no alternative solution offered, just not working. Happens all the time aparently, so why didn't they advise me when I booked it to ring and check on the day if all ok? Or ring me on the contact number they had? Next availlable appt 29/5 - told them to forget it

Bad service annoys the hell out of me.

So, went to a small local optician nearer home. Explained what had happened - they couldn't fit me in today but I'm in on 30th apr. Also, she wondered why Boots hadn't done the screening internally then uploaded the images when the system was back on. Grrrrrr I'm self employed so can't afford to take time off for no good reason.

A complaint has already been sent to Boots :thumbdown: :thumbdown:
 
That's not good at all Boot's not working and not informing you... I would also write a letter to the screen department, so they are aware of what's happening..

In our area our screening isn't contracted out but done in outpatients...

I would check that the optician's you'll going to can pass the photo's onto the screening department so they can be processed by them... And the optician's aren't going to charge you for doing it..

I say this, because before screening came in, my optician's used to photography the back of my eyes as part of my normal sight check... I used to have to pay £20 for this part of the eye examination as it was classed as optional and I was doing it for my own benefit at the time..

But when they brought the screening program, I asked if my optician could carry on doing the photo's and send them to them for examination process they do... And told No, they wouldn't except these photo's only the ones taken by the hospital...

It's easier and more convenient to book into my opticians than it is to be restricted by the screening clinic... And an unhappy optician who I now refuse to pay the charge for the photograph's due to attending clinic..
 
A friend of mine is so afraid of upsetting his optician that he pays for the screening although he has them done at the hospital twice a year.
 
Might be worth pointing out that Specsavers also have eye scanning equipment that is similar to what is used in health centres for retinopathy scanning etc. I was fairly impressed with what I saw of the photo scan that I had done which showed the state of my blood vessels.
 


I was impressed too, they use a very powerful camera and it's look as good as when I had a Fluorescein Angiogram done a few years earlier.
 
Many thanks all,

good point jopar about advising the screening dept.

I will check with the opticians but I'm pretty sure they are ok as they were on the list of authorised opticians I received. also she took my PIN number from me,

I did in the past pay the extra on my eye tests for the phots - never any probs found, hoping it will be the same this time round.



Mary x
 
Just had my first done today in Specsavers and must say I'm impressed with the service. Very friendly efficient. Running on time as well which NHS NEVER seem to manage. Got to see the photos right away and told OK. That's good because I'm certain if it had been at an eye clinic it would be ages before I got results.

Drops didn't sting too much but it's taken alomost 5 hours for eyesight to get back to normal. Got a bouncer of a headache, not sure if thats coincidence or not. Glad it's done and not as bad as I'd expected.

John
 
excellent John

sounds like a RESULT.

Specsavers def getting rave reviews

Mary x
 
I had sleepless nights before my appointment because I am really squeamish about my eyes and hate having things put in but the nurse really put me at my ease and the eye drops didn't sting at all but I did have some blurriness that lasted about 5 hours after.

I had mine done at my local hospital.

I didn't know Specsavers did them. When my next appointment comes I know I won't dread it again.


Alison
 
Not sure if Specsavers do them in all areas. I'm fairly rural with the nearest proper eye hospital 100 miles away. Specsavers were on a list with 3 or 4 other local opticians. I chose Specsavers because that's who I normally go to.
John
 
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