Screening for diabetic retinopathy

Key facts

In Ellie's Eyes, below, a short film produced by Happy Giraffe for Staffordshire Diabetic Retinal Screening Service, Ellie Dixon, a young person with diabetes, talks about the importance of attending her annual screening appointment.

More detail

What is screening?

Screening is a process of identifying apparently healthy people who may be at increased risk of a disease or condition. They can then be offered information, further tests and appropriate treatment to reduce their risk and/or any complications arising from the disease or condition.

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) assesses the evidence for screening programmes against a set of internationally recognised criteria.

The UK NSC website includes an animated explanation of the screening process and a screening timeline showing optimum ages for screening throughout a person's life.

When will I be invited for screening?

All people aged 12 and over with diabetes (type 1 and 2) are offered annual screening appointments. The only exceptions are people with diabetic eye disease who are already under the care of an ophthalmology specialist.

Why is screening important?

Screening is an effective way of detecting diabetic retinopathy as early as possible.

There may be no symptoms during the early stages of the disease but treatment is most effective when the disease is detected early.

It is important not to confuse your screening appointment with the general eye tests you have with your optician. Screening does not replace your regular eye examinations. It is important to attend both.

How should I prepare for screening?

• Take all your usual spectacles with you
• Take sunglasses with you to wear home, as everything may look very bright after the screening test
• Arrange to use public transport or get a lift from a friend or family member for the journey home. You should not drive from your appointment as the eye drops administered before screening can blur vision

What happens during screening?

Screening is provided in a variety of locations, including GP surgeries, hospitals and optician practices.

The screening test usually takes around 30 minutes.

At your appointment, screening staff will:

• Explain the screening process and record your details and level of sight
• Administer eye drops to make your pupils larger so the retina can be seen more clearly
• Take digital photographs of your retina, the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the inner eye that acts rather like a film in a camera

The photograph is painless and the camera does not come into contact with the eye. However, the eye drops may cause some stinging for a few seconds and blurred vision for between two to six hours after the test.

Further information

• National information leaflets
• FAQs on diabetic retinopathy screening
• Advice on private screening
• Find out how patient information is collected and used within the screening programme
• The NHS Diabetes website includes a short film explaining the importance of screening

Please note that the NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme is not responsible for the content of external websites.