Diabetic Eye Screening

Diabetic Eye Screening

If you have diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2), you are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, a condition where high blood sugar levels damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina at the back of the eye.

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of preventable sight loss in working-age adults. In the early stages, it often causes no symptoms, which is why regular screening is vital.

The Screening Process

Everyone with diabetes aged 12 and over is invited for annual diabetic eye screening.

• Drops will be put in your eyes to dilate (widen) your pupils. These drops take about 15-20 minutes to work and will make your vision blurry and sensitive to light for a few hours. You must not drive after the appointment.
• Photographs will be taken of the back of your eyes. The camera does not touch your eye.
• The images are reviewed by specialists to check for any signs of diabetic retinopathy.

Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy

1. Background retinopathy: Tiny bulges (microaneurysms) or small bleeds in the blood vessels. Usually does not affect vision but requires monitoring.
2. Pre-proliferative retinopathy: More severe and widespread changes in the blood vessels. High risk of progressing to the next stage.
3. Proliferative retinopathy: New, fragile blood vessels grow on the retina. These can bleed easily, causing sudden vision loss, or lead to scar tissue and retinal detachment. Requires urgent treatment.
4. Diabetic maculopathy: Fluid leaks into the macula (the central part of the retina), causing blurred central vision.

Treatment

Early stages are managed by optimizing your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Advanced stages (proliferative retinopathy or maculopathy) may require:

• Laser treatment to stop new blood vessels growing
• Intravitreal injections (anti-VEGF or steroids) to reduce swelling in the macula
• Vitreo-retinal surgery in severe cases

When to Seek Urgent Help

Do not wait for your next screening appointment if you notice:

• A sudden drop in vision
• Sudden blurriness or distortion
• New floaters or a dark shadow in your vision