Eye tests for diabetics

kpshah

I am a diabetic and my optician advised me to get in touch with my GP to arrange eye test for diabetics. My GP however tells me that the optician should do it.
Who is responsible for arranging an eye test? I am confused and don't know who to approach for the correct advice (is that the right spelling?). Is there a written law as to who is responsible?
Please help.

stclair

The optican isnt it dont you have to show them an expemption certificate or something.

You just go to the optican as normal.

*my ex was a diabetic*

System

your GP will write /or give you a letter for the optician as your eye test will be free once diagnosed. you arrange the test once you can prove you are diabetic.

GoToGal

I have both an annual eye test with the gluacoma (sp?) check as well as 2 eye examinations at the hospital - one for photos of the back of the eye, the other for eye pressure test. Could you clarify with your GP which test the optician is supposed to do? Might just be crossed wires

tidus

As a diabetic, you require 2 examinations in actual fact. The first is the normal eye exam, that you can have with any optician - normally yearly but sometimes 2 yearly for a diabetic.

Secondly you require a photograph of the back of the eye yearly which will be assessed to see if there are any diabetic changes. This must be done by a trained person, and the proceedure varies from one health authority to the next. Could be done in hospital, by a local optometrist with further training and with the right equipment, or even by a team with a mobile unit that goes around local GPs car parks!

Both your GP and you regular optician should be able to tell you how the local system works... can't really explain how you can't get the infomation. I'd try the GP again.

cleo1299

According to the NHS webpage at http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/895.aspx?CategoryID=68&SubCategoryID=157

When you go for your sight test, you should tell your optometrist or optician that you are entitled to a free NHS sight test. They will give you a form called GOS1 to fill in and sign.

and then

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma, or an ophthalmologist has advised that you are at risk of glaucoma, you need to put the name and address of your doctor on the GOS1 form.

nedmundo

Under current guidelines, all PCTs are required to have a system in place for annual digital retinal screening. Like Tidus says, it's going to one of those routes. The optometrist may do it privately if not covered under you local scheme, but may charge for this as it's not funded by the NHS test fee.

zippie01

I work for a Primary Care Trust and i am also a newly diagnosed Diabetic. The answers above are correct. You do need 2 tests (only 1 if you don't currently wear glasses !) The main & important one is the Diabetic retinopathy eye test which your PCT will provide. Your GP should of originally passed on your details to the PCT to arrange this, but if not have a look online for your PCT and give their customer care line a call who will put you in touch with the Retinopathy team.

HTH

nedmundo

You still need the 2 diffferent tests as the diabetic screening does only that and doesn't check for other eye conditions or visual defects.

pmduk

The only test you require for diabetes is the retinopathy screening. You would be well advised to have a normal eye examination as well, but it is optional. As it's free (for people with diabetes), why wouldn't you have it? It enabled me to be diagnosed with glaucoma, which would otherwise have been missed.