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Type 1 eye screening - now only every 2 years?

P

pinewood

Well-Known Member
Messages
792
Location
London
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Had my usual annual diabetic (type 1, diagnosed 10-years ago) eye screening in December. Luckily my results came back all clear. The letter said that because my results have been all clear for 2 years in a row, they don't want to see me again until 2 years' time!

Anyone else have this or is it just my local NHS authority cutting costs? I'm sorry but it seems awful to me to wait 2 years as a lot can happen in that time, especially given I've been type 1 for 10 years now.

Appreciate any advice.
 
I’ve not experienced it but I’ve seen others mention it on here, I’ve had one every 14 months or so, my last one was clear but the one before that for the first time had very small changes, maybe if my next one is clear then it will go to 2 years? Maybe ask your Health Care Team when you next speak to them?
 
Retinal screening has gone to every 2 years locally if there are no issue detected. I have just had mine done and received a similar letter to yourselves.

If you have concerns I would agree with others speak to your Heath Care Team. If you see an Optician they could also provide you with an update. I get my eyes tested annually and my Optician always comments on any diabetic changes.
 
The NHS website states that if there are no problems for 2 years, then it should be every 2 years

Diabetic eye screening

Find out who should have diabetic eye screening, why it's done and what happens, and when you’ll get your results.
www.nhs.uk
 
You can now get the OCT scan that is very good at looking for diabetic changes at the optician. Maybe that is why it’s less frequent at the hospital too, this technology was not available until recent years.
If you have a good optician make sure you get your check with them every year.
 
It's slightly worrying because if they had done that to me in 2021, I wouldn't have been seen until 2023. I was diagnosed with Maculopathy in 2022 due to a high decrease in my HbA1c. Although I needed no additional treatment other than more regular scans it isn't very comforting to think what could happen if you needed more than just regular scans. As has been said above though you can get the scans at the optician, although for an additional cost but it's worth it to me if I were to only get one every 2 years I'd get one in between at the optician. As always as well, if you're ever worried I'm sure you can call them up to see if you can be seen sooner.
 
Yes you can, you will have to pay for the oct but any tests that are done in between the due annual tests, if there are “problems “ suspected it is booked as a supplementary test, they can refer you if they see anything.
The weird thing is I also had issues after I improved my readings during pregnancy then maybe hormones / birth was additional factors- but for me a decrease was also the factor in the most changes I ever had.
Now it has repaired itself which is great.
 
I only went for one last year. All clear. So when they ask me to go this year, shall be prepared. I am a type 2 so don't know if it will be different.
 
For the past 20 years all my eye tests have been carried out by my optician rather than the hospital and blood work at my GP practice.
 
They operate a simple system, and if changes occur, they will move you up to every 12 months, or if the changes warrant it, every 6 months.
 
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