Diabetic retinal screening in Shetland

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Diabetic retinal screening in Shetland

• Kathleen Carolan, April 2007

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Why has the diabetic retinopathy screening
programme been developed?

• Diabetic retinopathy is the major cause of
  blindness in the 30-65 age group in the UK at the
  present time.
• Regular (annual) screening for retinopathy
  detects those at risk before visual symptoms
  occur and when treatment outcome is optimal.
• Treatment can prevent blindness in 90 of those
  at risk if applied early and adequately
• It is a requirement of all Health Boards in
  Scotland that an accredited service is in place
  and available to all eligible patients.

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What happens at the screening examination?

• Digital images are taken using a fundus camera.
• The procedure (taking the images) is painless.
• If you have small pupils then drops will be
  instilled to dilate the pupils. This can make the
  eyes water/stings.
• Eye drops mean that you cannot drive/operate
  machinery for up to 6 hours after the screening
  (due to blurred vision).
• Leaflets are sent out with the invite letter to
  tell them about the screening and possibility of
  drops.

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Retinal fundus camera operator
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Retinal screening grading the images and
sending on the results
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For further information

• Contact
• Kathleen Carolan
• Tel [phone] (ext 3188)
• Kathleen.carolan_at_shb.Shetland.scot.nhs.uk