Diabetic eye screening is important for detecting diabetic retinopathy early. High blood sugar from poorly controlled diabetes can damage blood vessels in the retina over many years. Left undetected and untreated, diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness among working age adults. Regular screening can identify changes in vision early so they can be treated to prevent further vision loss or blindness. During screening, special eye drops are used to dilate the pupil so the retina can be examined for any signs of damage from diabetic retinopathy.

1. DIABETIC EYE SCREENING
By Elmugiera Hafazalla – University Campus Oldham
Why should I be
screened?
If you are diabetic with
poorly controlled diabetes,
over the years your blood
vessels could be damaged by
the high level of blood sugar
(glucose) *
Why is screening
important?
Screening is an effective way of
detecting diabetic retinopathy early *
Also, screening is important because
the number of individuals at risk for
diabetic retinopathy has increased
dramatically in recent years as a
result of the rapid increase of the
diabetic disease **
What is the diabetic
retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is the most
common cause of blindness among
people of working age *
Causes of diabetic
retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy caused by high
blood sugar (glucose) damaging the
blood vessels and as a result the
blood vessel network will not be able
to supply blood to the retina as
normal *
The retina is the light-sensitive
layer of nerve cells at the back of
your eye ***
I am diabetic, How bad diabetes can affect my eyes?
Among the group age 30 -64 years, Diabetes is the most common disease causes
blindness. That is bout 20% of the people registered blind in the UK.
Every year in the UK, there are about 4000 people registered
blind as a result of diabetes. 60% of these cases could
have been prevented if detected at an early stage.
Early detection of any change in your
vision could be treated by
specialist to stop
progression ***
Facts
• Treatment by laser
early in proliferative
retinopathy can save
vision ***
• Diabetic patients with
retinopathy should not
smoke***
• Preventing high blood
pressure can help
reduce your risk of
developing
retinopathy *
References
* Diabetes eye screening-NHS, UK. Adapted from http://diabeticeye.screening.nhs.uk/
** Espaillat, E. (2012). Diabetic eye disease: A comprehensive review. New Jeresy, USA. Slanck in Corporated.
*** Frith, P. , Gray, R. Maclennan, S., & Ambler, P. (2001). The eye in clinical practice (2nd Ed.). Oxford. Blackwell Science LTD.
Risk Factors
• The longer you have
diabetes , the greater your
chance of developing
retinopathy
• If your blood sugar level is
high, your risk of developing
retinopathy will increase
• If your blood pressure is
high and you have diabetes,
you can develop retinopathy
easily * Screening where you live
Diabetic eye screening is available in many locations in
your area, including GPs, hospitals and many optician
practices *
What will happen in the event?
For a good eye examination, special drops will be used.
These called Tropicamide, and it is a short acting (2 to 3
hors), and used to enlarge the pupil and minimise the time
of dilation ***
Are there any side effects?
Because of glare, you will be asked not to drive for some
time, and also in a rare case, the drops may cause a rising
to the eye pressure, usually later the same day. If you
have pain after the screening, telephone the casualty
department and state the situation.
Diabetic patients are
entitled to free eye testing*