Cheshire residents reminded to attend diabetic eye screening

People across Cheshire are being reminded not to skip their NHS diabetic eye screening appointments, regardless of whether they are taking medication, their diabetes is well-controlled or they are in remission.  

Up to 53,000 people in Cheshire are eligible for free NHS diabetic eye screening, a vital service that can detect changes in the eye, potentially preventing sight loss.  

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes which affects small blood vessels in a part of the eye called the retina. If left untreated, this can cause permanent damage or loss of vision.   

The Cheshire Diabetic Eye Screening Programme, delivered by East Cheshire NHS Trust offers specialist screening to detect eyesight changes at 37 venues across Cheshire, including GP surgeries, opticians and libraries. For patients who require further imaging, five venues also offer optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans.  

Elysia Martinez, Improving Uptake Officer at East Cheshire NHS Trust says: “There are no symptoms in the beginning, but screening can detect changes before they occur and treatment is often effective in reducing damage, which is why it’s so important to attend regular appointments. 

“Attending an accredited venue means that specially trained staff will take digital images of the eyes, and a qualified technician will review and grade all images – they are the only people who can do this. All 37 of our venues are accredited”  

Anyone over the age of 12 who has ever been diagnosed with diabetes should attend regular screening appointments. Typically, patients will be invited every one or two years, based on previous results.    

Elysia points out: “We hear myths such as ‘I’m not diabetic because I don’t take medication.’ However, you don’t have to be on medication to be diabetic. Likewise, even if your diabetes is controlled or you’re in remission, changes can still be present and you still need to attend screening.  

“Some patients are unsure of their diagnosis because they’ve been told they’re ‘borderline diabetic’. We’d encourage anyone who is unsure of their diabetic status to speak to their GP for clarification, so they can ensure they’re getting the recommended screening.” 

All patients who receive an invitation are urged to book and attend their free diabetic eye screening appointment.  

To ensure screening remains accessible, selected venues offer late and weekend appointments, and community transport schemes are available for eligible patients.  

For more information, including venue availability, transport arrangements, and other FAQs, please visit Diabetic Eye Screening :: East Cheshire NHS Trust.

Image caption: Colleagues from the Trust’s diabetic eye screening service