DIABETIC EYE SCREENING
What is diabetic eye screening? • Diabetes can cause health problems in several ways and your eyes are one part of your body that can be affected.
• Diabetic eye screening is a test to check for eye problems caused by diabetes.
• Eye problems caused by diabetes are called diabetic retinopathy. This can lead to loss of vision (ultimately blindness) if it's not found early.
• The eye screening test can find problems before they affect your sight.
• Pictures are taken of the back of your eyes to check for any changes.
If you have diabetes and you're aged
12 or over, you should have your eyes checked at least once a year
Diabetic retinopathy
This condition occurs when diabetes affects small blood vessels, damaging the part of the eye called the retina. It can cause the blood vessels in the retina to leak or become blocked. This can affect your sight.
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• Giving up smoking. Nerve damage, kidney and cardiovascular disease are more likely in smokers with diabetes. Smoking increases your blood pressure and raises your blood sugar level, which makes it harder to control your diabetes.
Getting regular retinal screening. The most effective thing you can do to prevent sight loss due to diabetic retinopathy is to go to your retinal screening appointments by an Eye Specialist, also called an Ophthalmologist. Early detection and treatment can stop you from losing sight. If you’re pregnant and have gestational diabetes, you will have retinal screenings more often during your pregnancy and after your baby is born.
The screening test
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