The information on this website was correct at 31 March 2013, but this website is no longer being maintained. Health information is now available on NHS Greater Huddersfield CCG, NHS North Kirklees CCG, NHS Choices and Kirklees Council.

Diabetic Eye Screening

Diabetic eye screening is available free to men and women aged 12 years and over who are diabetic and registered with an NHS doctor. You will receive a letter inviting you to attend every 12 months.

Diabetic eye screening is available free to men and women aged 12 years and over who are diabetic and registered with an NHS doctor. You will receive a letter inviting you to attend every 12 months. If you are registered with a GP practice in the Calderdale or South Kirklees area then please click here to find out where the screening sites are located. Please call (01484) 464164 / 464165 (24 hour answer machine) for more information about the service.

If you are registered with a GP practice in North Kirklees or Wakefield we are able to offer screening at the following sites:

  • Dewsbury Health Centre;
  • Batley Health Centre;
  • Cleckheaton Health Centre;
  • King Street;
  • Castleford Hospital
  • The Grange Surgery, Hemsworth
  • Pontefract Health Centre; and
  • South Elmsall Health Centre.

Please call (01924) 375590 or (01924) 214075 (24 hour answer machine) for more information about this service.

What is diabetic eye screening and why do I need it?

People with diabetes are at risk of an eye disease linked to diabetes known as diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy can lead to changes to the back of the eye causing partial or severe loss of vision. If you have diabetes, you might have diabetic retinopathy and be unaware of it.

Diabetic eye screening involves examining the eyes regularly to detect any specific changes due to diabetic retinopathy that could affect the vision.

A short eye test is completed and then drops to dilate the pupils are put into each eye. Two digital photographs are then taken of each eye and forwarded for grading. Results are sent to both the GP and patient 4-6 weeks after the screening appointment.

Attending for annual screening helps to control the risk of problems caused by diabetic retinopathy as it can detect the disease much earlier. If necessary, successful treatment can be carried out to reduce the risk of blindness.

Two ways to reduce the risks from diabetic eye disease are:

•    Good control of your diabetes and blood pressure; and
•    Regular checking of your eyes by an accredited diabetic eye screening service, for Calderdale and South Kirklees, this is the Calderdale and South Kirklees NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme and for North Kirklees, this is the Wakefield District and North Kirklees NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme.

Key statistics

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of sight loss in people of working age.
Diabetic retinopathy may not cause symptoms until it is quite advanced which is why screening is important. 

All people with diabetes are at risk of getting diabetic retinopathy.

It is estimated that in England every year 4,200 people are at risk of blindness caused by diabetic retinopathy and there are 1,280 new cases of blindness caused by diabetic retinopathy.

In 2010-11, across England 2,260,000 were offered screening for diabetic retinopathy. 79% of these actually received screening. It is estimated that screening could save more than 400 people per year from sight loss in England.

Common myths

I regularly attend my optician (or optometrist) for eye checks and don’t need to attend for screening.

Untrue. You should continue to attend your optician (or optometrist) for general eye care and spectacles, but your GP will refer you to us to ensure that you are recalled annually for diabetic eye screening which is a different test altogether.

I go to my local optician (or optometrist) for diabetic eye screening

Untrue.  Your local optician (or optometrist) may provide and charge for a private assessment.  This is not the same as a diabetic eye screening which is provided free of charge by the NHS as part of your overall diabetic care. 

Diabetic eye screening prevents diabetic retinopathy

Untrue.  Diabetic eye screening helps find diabetic retinopathy if it is already there and enables prompt assessment and treatment where necessary.

I regularly attend the hospital eye service and don’t need to attend for screening as well

Untrue. Those patients who have NOT been referred to the hospital from the Diabetic Eye Screening Programme will need to attend for annual screening.

Further information

For more information please visit http://diabeticeye.screening.nhs.uk/public

Further information for patients can be found in leaflets at http://diabeticeye.screening.nhs.uk/leaflets

15 healthcare essentials for people with diabetes - click here