We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Diabetic Eye Screening

Hi,
Does anyone know if following the nhs diabetic eye screening (it being my first and I’m unsure if I should cancel and opt for the wait list) impacts the rest of your day, I see they say the eye drops used will blur vision for up to 4 hours and not to drive, I’m just wondering if I would still make it to night college - appointment is late afternoon and falls on same day as night school. 
Many thanks.

Comments

  • k3lvc
    k3lvc Posts: 4,174
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Forumite
    I normally have mine done early am, go for a walk and have a coffee then normally completely fit after about 90mins. Maybe less of an issue in the evening but bright lights afterwards are the biggest issue for me
  • kazwookie
    kazwookie Posts: 14,341
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Forumite
    I have this done once a year.
    For me the eye drops sting when they go into the eye, you sit and wait to go in to have the photos taken for about 15 to 20 mins, the photos take about 4 mins if that in total,  I put sun glasses on when I leave, and get someone else to drive me home, my vision is slightly blurred.
    After about a couple of hours or so my vision has returned.
    But I am sure each person reacts differently, personally I would go to the appointment, then go to your night school and just explain to the tutor about the procedure you have had done and ask for a copy of any notes, you can still sit and listen to your class.
    Breast Cancer 100 miles Oct 22 100/100miles
    D-Day 80km June 24 80/80km (10.06.24)
    Diabetic UK 1m steps July 24 to end Sept 24. 1,001,066/ 1,000,000 (20.09.24)
    Breast Cancer Now 100 miles 1st May 2025 (18.05.25)
    Diabetic UK 1 million steps July 2025 to Sept 25. 1,006,489 / 1,000,000 (10.09.25)
    Breast Cancer 100 miles Oct 2025 100/100 (12.10.25 all done)
    Tommy 10,000 steps challenge. 1st Nov 25 for 30 days .
    Diabetic UK 1 million steps July 2026 to Sept 26. 1,002,786 / 1,000,000 (13.09.26)
  • Undervalued
    Undervalued Posts: 9,946
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Forumite
    kazwookie said:
    I have this done once a year.
    For me the eye drops sting when they go into the eye, you sit and wait to go in to have the photos taken for about 15 to 20 mins, the photos take about 4 mins if that in total,  I put sun glasses on when I leave, and get someone else to drive me home, my vision is slightly blurred.
    After about a couple of hours or so my vision has returned.
    But I am sure each person reacts differently, personally I would go to the appointment, then go to your night school and just explain to the tutor about the procedure you have had done and ask for a copy of any notes, you can still sit and listen to your class.
    That is my experience too. Obviously it is right that they warn you not to drive until it has completely warn off but you can get about OK without a white stick and somebody holding your arm!
    Take a pair of dark sunglasses with you!
  • lindens
    lindens Posts: 2,870
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Forumite
    Its usually back to normal within a couple of hours for me
    You're not your * could have not of * Debt not dept *
  • giraffe69
    giraffe69 Posts: 3,656
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Forumite
    I think the warning about driving is just a-se covering. The drops (which do sting a bit) dilate the pupils so you are quite sensitive to light for a couple of hours but sunglasses deal with that. I have an appointment coming up and the return trip by car is under 30 mins but around 5 hours by bus including waiting time!
  • kirtondm
    kirtondm Posts: 436
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Forumite
    most people fine but occasionally some px will take longer to recover.
    Probably go ahead and see how you get on . Worst case driving / reading tricky until next day. Normally sunlight biggest problem but probably not today
  • Mojisola
    Mojisola Posts: 35,574
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Forumite
    giraffe69 said:
    I think the warning about driving is just a-se covering. The drops (which do sting a bit) dilate the pupils so you are quite sensitive to light for a couple of hours but sunglasses deal with that. I have an appointment coming up and the return trip by car is under 30 mins but around 5 hours by bus including waiting time!
    But will be taken seriously by your insurance company if you drive and have an accident on the way home.

  • pogofish
    pogofish Posts: 10,853
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Forumite
    If they give you a few moments to let your eyes adjust to the dark and your pupils dilate naturally, most people could probably do this without the drops. I’ve not needed them for years.
  • pmduk
    pmduk Posts: 10,739
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Forumite
    What does your night school consist of? Like the others my eyes have normally adjusted within a couple of hours of the test, but wouldn't do anything intense within that period.
This discussion has been closed.
★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 355.8K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 456.2K Spending & Discounts
  • 248.3K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 606K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 179K Life & Family
  • 263.8K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.2K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.