A new country wide screening service for diabetic eye disease is underway. Using various methods, every diabetic in the country should have been identified by this stage, but I still see clients who are not aware of this service, and have not as yet been contacted by them to be screened. Although this is not a replacement for a full eye test, because we do check things that they cannot with a photograph, unfortunately it is very difficult to get the HSE to authorise anyone for an eye test sooner than 2 years, and diabetic screening should be done at least on an annual basis.
Screening is free to every diabetic over age 12 years, and we would suggest that it is a very worthwhile thing to have done regularly – if you are diabetic, and have not yet heard from the diabetic screening service, we would suggest that you call them on Freephone 1800 45 45 55, Option 1 and ensure that they have you details on their system. If they do not know about you, you should ask your GP to register you for the program.
Their website is here, and more information about diabetic retinopathy can be read on our site here – we are not trying to scare anyone, but many diabetics seem to be unaware just how important eye checks are!
