Diabetes can cause complications which affect the health of your eyes. It is therefore important for people living with Diabetes to look after their eye health and include Diabetic Eye Screening as part of their regular diabetic checks. If you are invited to a screening appointment, it is important to attend so this can be assessed.
Diabetes and changes in blood sugar levels can lead to changes in the blood vessels at the back of your eyes (retinas). This is called Diabetic Retinopathy and left untreated can cause serious damage to your eyesight. This can happen if you have Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes.
Please watch the film created by Diabetes Scotland and RNIB Scotland for more information about this.
Diabetic retinopathy is when high blood sugar levels damages the small blood vessels in your retina which is at the back of your eye. These blood vessels can leak or become blocked. Left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can significantly affect your vision or lead to visual loss.
There are no symptoms in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy so you may not realise that you have it. However, if a problem with your eyes is picked up early, lifestyle changes, improved blood sugar control and/or treatment may stop it from getting worse.
Please watch this video from My Diabetes My Way to learn more about some of the changes in the retina that can occur in people with Diabetes.
In Scotland, Diabetic Eye Screening is offered to people aged 12 and over with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes. During your appointment, photos of your retinas will be taken and examined for changes. This appointment will usually take no longer than 30 minutes and dilating eye drops may be required.
How often you are invited will depend on your previous screening results. This can vary from 6 monthly to 2 yearly. After screening, you will get a letter with your results and information on when your next screening will be.
For more information on Diabetic Eye Screening, please visit Diabetic eye screening (DES) in Scotland | NHS inform
Please watch the short video created by NHS Tayside to see what happens at eye screening appointments.
You can also find out about your own eye screening results by logging onto your account on My Diabetes My Way and choosing ‘Eyes’ from the ‘My Results’ menu. See the example below.
You can reduce your chances of developing Diabetic Retinopathy by controlling your blood sugar levels, attending scheduled diabetes appointments, taking your medication as prescribed, attending Diabetic Eye Screening regularly and going to your Optometrist (Optician) if you notice any changes to your eyesight.
Diabetic Eye Screening only looks for Diabetic Retinopathy. It is important to go for regular eye tests with your optician too. Try searching the Scottish Service Directory to find your local optician.
If you have any queries regarding Diabetic Eye Screening or your previous or upcoming appointments, please contact the team on 01224 550466 or via email on gram.eyescreeningappts@nhs.scot and the team will try to assist you. Our reception line is open Monday to Friday, 8am-10am and 1pm-3.30pm.
Diabetic Eye Screening is based at David Anderson Building, Foresterhill Road, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZP. Please click here for the link for a map showing our location.
Although we are based in Aberdeen, we offer clinics at a variety of locations throughout Aberdeenshire and Moray. If you require more information on a screening venue, please do not hesitate to contact the team who will be happy to help.
Patient transport may be available if you need support in attending healthcare appointments due to medical or mobility needs. To request this, please call the Ambulance Booking Line on 0300 123 1236 (calls are charged at local rates). You may request patient transport up to 28 days before your appointment. Please remember to cancel this by calling the same number if transport is no longer required.
For more information on Patient Transport, please visit Support With Appointments (scottishambulance.com)
For more information on Diabetic Eye Screening, please visit Diabetic eye screening (DES) in Scotland | NHS inform and Diabetic eye screening | Retinopathy | Diabetes UK
For more information on Diabetic Retinopathy, please visit Diabetic retinopathy – Illnesses & conditions | NHS inform
For our Patient Information Leaflet, please visit Diabetic eye screening (publichealthscotland.scot)
For our Patient Information Leaflet in other languages and formats, please visit Diabetic eye screening-Preventing sight loss from retinopathy – Publications – Public Health Scotland
For more information or to register for My Diabetes My Way, please visit Homepage | Information Site (scot.nhs.uk)