Diabetic eye screening

Diabetes and the eye

People with diabetes are at risk of damage to the back of the eye caused by diabetic retinopathy.  Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of vision loss among people with diabetes and a leading cause of blindness among working-age adults.  

What happens to the eye with diabetes

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when diabetes damages the small blood vessels which leak blood at the back of the eye affecting the part called the retina. If not monitored and treated it can lead to sight loss.

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What is involved?

In Cambridgeshire all individuals with diabetes are invited to have annual diabetic retinopathy screening appointment. This appointment takes place at specific clinics, the details of which will be included in the letter sent to your home address. Your optometrist will still invite you to have an NHS sight test every 2 years; this is completely separate to the "diabetic retinopathy screening" appointment.

TIPS - Efficient ways to keep diabetes under control

• Know your diabetes type, learn more about it and take it seriously

• Monitor and keep control of your blood glucose (HbA1c)

• Monitor and keep control of your blood pressure and cholesterol 

• Keep in touch with your healthcare team e.g doctor, nurse, optometrist, dentist, chiropodist

• Eat well

• Be active

• Reduce alcohol intake

• Stop smoking

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