Glaucoma
It is advised that if you are at high risk of glaucoma (such as a family history of glaucoma) that you have a check up every year. The screening may include any of the following tests:
Tonometry – This test measure the pressure inside the eye. We generally use the “air puff” or non-contact method, which measures your eyes pressure by the eye’s resistance to the air.
Pupil dilation: Special drops temporarily enlarge the pupil so that the our optometrists can better view the inside of the eye.
Visual field testing: This test measures the entire area you can see when looking straight ahead to measure your central and peripheral vision, determining the dimmest light seen at each spot tested – each time you see a flash of light, you press a button.
Diabetes
If you have diabetes, your eyes are at risk from diabetic retinopathy, and so eye screening is a key part of your diabetes care. Diabetic retinopathy can lead to sight loss if left untreated. It occurs when diabetes affects the small blood vessels in the eye, damaging the retina. It is one of the most common causes of sight loss amongst people of working age. You may not know if you have diabetic retinopathy – there are usually no noticeable symptoms in the early stages. The diabetic screening service is the best way of detecting the condition prior to you noticing any changes in your vision – if it is detected early enough, treatment stops it getting worse. As the symptoms become noticeable, it becomes much more difficult to treat. Everyone person who has been diagnosed with diabetes is offered a screening once a year from the age of 12.
The diabetic retinopathy screening is free on the NHS – you will receive a letter from the diabteic screening office when you are due for a screening.
It is advised to allow roughly 30 minutes for your diabetic retinopathy screening appointment and remember dilating drops will probably need to be used to obtain a good quality photograph of your retinas. This may blur your vision for a time and it is therefore recommended that you do not drive for a time after the appointment.