Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DESP)
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
People living with diabetes are at a high risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, a sight-threatening disease. This condition occurs when the small blood vessels in the retina (which is at the back of the eye) leak or become blocked.
Early detection of diabetic retinopathy disease and subsequent treatment by laser can reduce the risk of visual impairment.
Why should I be screened?
Diabetic eye screening is offered to all people over the age of 12 as part of your diabetes care and it can reduce risk by detecting the condition early and before you notice any changes to your sight. Click here to view the Diabetes UK 15 Healthcare Essentials leaflet
If left untreated diabetic retinopathy disease may cause blindness or serious damage to your eyesight and it’s the largest single cause of blindness amongst adults of a working age in the UK. In its early stages there are no symptoms so you may not realise that you have diabetic retinopathy. It is therefore important you attend for your diabetic eye screening.
How often will I be invited?
Screening is offered every year to anyone living with diabetes aged 12 and over. However new evidence tells us that people with diabetes who are at low risk of sight loss (had two consecutive low risk screenings) should be screened every two years instead of every year. Therefore in some circumstances you may be offered screening every two years depending on your last two screening results.
Those people who are newly diagnosed with diabetes will be screened once a year and move to two yearly screening once you have had two consecutive low risk screenings.
The screening programme will automatically invite you to attend for screening however if you notice any changes to your eyesight, contact your optometrist straight away, do not ignore eye changes. To find out when your next appointment for diabetic eye screening is likely to be visit www.nhsinform.scot/mynextdes
Public Health Scotland have developed a leaflet explaining more about ‘Diabetic Eye Screening – Preventing sight loss from retinopathy’ Click here to view the leaflet.
Where can I attend for diabetic eye screening?
In NHS Ayrshire & Arran diabetic eye screening is provided by trained and accredited community Optometrists in various accredited Optometry Practices throughout Ayrshire and Arran.
Diabetic eye screening is also offered to some people to attend University Hospitals Ayr and Crosshouse and at Ayrshire Central Hospital. The screening is provided by NHS staff who are trained and accredited to provide diabetic eye screening.
Please click here for the full list of Optometry Practices who are accredited to perform Diabetic Eye Screening in Ayrshire and Arran Click here
What about my results?
Once you have had your screening, you will receive your results through the post and a copy is sent to your GP. If the quality of the photograph taken for screening is not good enough you will be invited to have another test.
Some people may need to be referred to a specialist eye clinic for treatment or observation, the Diabetic Eye Screening Programme will automatically refer you if this is required and you will receive an appointment from the hospital.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran have developed a number of patient stories of people who have attended for their diabetic eye screening:
Young person diabetes patient story (with subtitles)
Young person diabetes patient story
Pregnancy diabetes patient story (with subtitles)
Pregnancy diabetes patient story
Adult diabetes patient story (with subtitles)
Useful websites:
NHS Inform – Diabetes Eye Screening Information
Royal National Institute of Blind People
An adult Diabetes App has also been developed by NHS Ayrshire & Arran for more information and details on how you can download it click here
For more information on NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s DES Programme, please contact the DES Office; enquiries 01294 323470 between 9am and 3pm daily.