Worried by my Retinal Screening Result

[Mr_Pot]

To @Rachox @Resurgam @Jaylee @sally and james @Scott-C @Guzzler @Bluetit1802 @DCUKMod @drahawkins_1973 @bulkbiker @hankjam @EllieM @therower @xfieldok @Dark Horse @Energize @Pipp @mr_cat @Ian_Laye @TonyHancock @Jo123 @Mick1952 Here is an excerpt from a letter I wrote to my screening service, adapted for obvious reasons!

I am however concerned by the statement that according to records I have never been screened by this programme. In fact I have a letter from [Mr A] telling me to attend [my] Surgery DRS at 9.15AM on 28th September 2012. Not only did I attend the screening, but I received another letter from [Mr A] saying he had asked Addenbrooke's to send me an appointment to be checked by a specialist

I had extensive retinopathy between 1978 and 1983 and for that I had relatively primitive photocoagulation at King's College Hospital. When I went to Addenbrooke's ( [Mr B's ]Diabetic Ophthalmology Clinic) on 31st October 2012, I was seen by one of his team who told me that he thought there were signs of retinopathy. I then waited in a dilated and deeply anxious state for 45minutes. [Mr B] then inspected my eyes and informed his colleague that he was looking at old scarring.

Bearing your recent letter in mind it occurs to me that although the Diabetic Retinal Screening Service is vital to curb blindness, there is perhaps too much standardisation, especially in correspondence and I would therefore like to suggest that you take me off your list. Obviously if my eyes bleed at any stage, I would of course go to a doctor, as I did back in October 1978.

Until it is extreme it is not possible for someone with diabetic retinopathy to notice, which is why there is screening rather than waiting for patients to complain of symptoms. The screening is supposed to be annual for diabetics but I have no idea how that applies in your unusual situation.

 

[Grant_Vicat]

Until it is extreme it is not possible for someone with diabetic retinopathy to notice, which is why there is screening rather than waiting for patients to complain of symptoms. The screening is supposed to be annual for diabetics but I have no idea how that applies in your unusual situation.

Dear @Mr_Pot I had screening all the time when it was available in my Type 1 years, i.e. 1978-2013. I have had some since the quoted letter. I only decided to post this as an illustration that these letters are standardised to a large extent and can unnecessarily frighten recipients. I think the concept of screening is vital, for exactly the reasons you mention. All the best.

 

[hankjam]

I got my results back today.
Interesting wording.
The results of your eye screening show that you have no diabetic changes to your eye(s).
If I remember for last year, they were good.. so all is good.

 

[Bluetit1802]

I got my results back today.
Interesting wording.
The results of your eye screening show that you have no diabetic changes to your eye(s).
If I remember for last year, they were good.. so all is good.

I got my results today. It says "Your test result appeared normal. This means you are at very little risk of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy at this time". I was relieved because I have developed a big floater and am waiting for an eye scan on this.