Diabetic eye screening intervals extended for people at lowest risk
Updated 6 October 2023
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The following provides information about the proposed implementation of extended intervals for diabetic eye screening amongst people with diabetes at lower-risk of diabetic retinopathy in England.
In 2016, the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) recommended changing the intervals for diabetic eye screening from every year to every 2 years for people at lower risk of sight loss. This was because:
- a large study showed it was safe to invite people in this lower-risk group every 2 years rather than annually
- making this change will release capacity in the NHS and reduce the need for lower-risk individuals to attend appointments every year
NHS England is now implementing this change to the NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DESP) in England, which has already been rolled out in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
From October 2023 people with diabetes in England will start to be invited for screening every 2 years if their last 2 routine screening tests found no signs of diabetic retinopathy.
The UK NSC regularly reviews screening recommendations for more than 100 conditions. The modification to diabetic eye screening intervals is an example of the committee recommending an improvement to an existing population screening programme that reflects the latest evidence.
1. Routine screening
Diabetic eye screening aims to prevent sight loss in people with diabetes.
Screening uses digital photography to look for signs of diabetic eye disease (diabetic retinopathy). Identifying retinopathy early means treatment is more effective at reducing or preventing damage to the eyes.
People are invited for screening every 1 or 2 years if their last screening test showed:
- no retinopathy
- only non-sight threatening (background) retinopathy
People whose most recent screening test result shows more significant diabetic retinopathy are offered screening more often or referred to hospital eye services. Pregnant women with diabetes are also offered more frequent screening tests.
2. Extended screening intervals for those at lowest risk of sight loss
Your two most recent screening test results showed no signs of retinopathy. This means you are in the group of people with diabetes who are at lowest risk of sight loss.
Evidence gathered over several years shows it is now safe for you to wait 2 years between screening appointments. There is very little chance you will develop sight-threatening retinopathy between appointments.
Extending screening intervals for people at lowest risk ensures enough appointments are available for people who are at higher risk of diabetic retinopathy.
You should contact your local diabetic eye screening service if you are waiting longer than 2 years between routine screening appointments.
If you notice any changes to your eyesight, contact your local optometrist or optician straight away. Do not wait for your next screening appointment.
Further information about diabetic retinopathy can be found here: www.nhs.uk/retinopathy.