Diabetic RetinaScreen is for people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes aged 12 and over.
We screen for an eye disease called retinopathy. We look for changes to the back of your eyes – the retina - that could be a sign of this disease. If diabetic retinopathy is caught early, treatment can reduce or prevent damage to your eyesight.
You will have your screening at a local screening centre. We have 140 screening locations around the country so you can have your screening close to home.
Diabetic RetinaScreen is free, including any follow-up tests or treatment you might need.
We want your screening experience with us to be clear, supportive and reassuring from start to finish.
Welcome to Diabetic RetinaScreen
If you have diabetes, you must first add your details to our Diabetic RetinaScreen register.
There are two ways you can do this:
- Fill in a registration form online, print the form, get your GP to sign it, and then post it to our freepost address.
- Ask your GP, practice nurse, dietitian or eye doctor to register you.
When we get this information from you or your GP, we’ll send you a letter inviting you to agree to take part in screening. We’ll explain what diabetic retina screening is and include a booklet with information to help you decide if you want to take part.
We ask you to let us know if you do not want to take part in screening – freephone 1800 45 45 55.
Here’s what you can expect when you choose to take part in Diabetic RetinaScreen:
Your first appointment
We will send you an invitation to attend a screening appointment at your local screening centre.
The appointment letter will tell you:
- your appointment date, time and location
- what happens at your appointment
- how to contact us if you need extra help or support at your appointment.
We will remind you about your appointment by text, if we have your phone number.
We ask you to let us know if you cannot attend your appointment. We can offer it to someone else, helping us to screen more people.
If you do not attend your appointment, we will write to you with another appointment 2 more times. If you do not attend, we will invite you again in one year.
If you miss your appointment
If you miss your appointment or cannot attend it, let us know. We can give you a new appointment.
About your screening appointment
If you’re under the age of 16, your parent or guardian will need to go with you to your appointment.
Your appointment will take about 30 minutes. We’ll ask you to sign a consent form to take part. Then you will have your screening.
- We’ll ask for your consent to give you eye drops. This makes your pupils larger and helps us to get a better picture. The eye drops will blur your vision and it may sting a little.
- We’ll ask you to wait for about 10 minutes while the eye drops work.
- We’ll take photos of the back of your eyes with a digital camera. The camera does not touch your eyes.
- We’ll check the photos to make sure we get a good quality image before we send you home.
This video explains what happens during your screening appointment.
Your screening results
We’ll send your results by letter within 3 weeks of your appointment. We’ll also send a copy to your GP, your eye doctor or endocrinologist.
Specialist grading staff will look at the photographs. They will check for any signs of retinopathy. All grading is overseen by a team of consultant ophthalmologists. Most people get a normal result – no retinopathy found.
No retinopathy found
This means we did not find any signs of retinopathy. We’ll invite you for screening again in 1 or 2 years.
We invite you for screening once a year when you join the register. If your results show ‘no retinopathy found’ at two consecutive screenings, we’ll invite you for screening again in 2 years.
Other results
If you have changes to the back of your eyes, we’ll invite you for screening more often to monitor these changes or refer you for treatment. This will be free and we’ll give you all the details you need.
Here are the different types of results you can get and what the next steps are:
- Background retinopathy: You do not need treatment. However, we may offer you more frequent screening or refer you to a specialist Diabetic RetinaScreen treatment clinic for further review.
- Pre-proliferative diabetic retinopathy: We will refer you to a specialist Diabetic RetinaScreen treatment clinic for further review or treatment.
- Proliferative retinopathy: We will refer you to a specialist Diabetic RetinaScreen treatment clinic for further review or treatment.
- Other non-diabetic eye conditions: Sometimes we find other eye conditions during screening that are not related to diabetic retinopathy. We will refer you to a specialist Diabetic RetinaScreen treatment clinic for further review. We will tell you in your results letter if we find other eye conditions. We also send a copy of your results to your GP.
If you have any questions about your screening results, ask your GP.
Screening for women with diabetes who become pregnant
We offer eye screening more often to women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who become pregnant. This is because the risk of diabetic retinopathy may increase during pregnancy. Your maternity service, diabetes nurse or hospital doctor will refer you for screening.
Changes to your eyesight
If you ever notice changes to your eyesight, or have any concerns about your eyes, talk to your GP, optician or eye doctor immediately. Do not wait until your next screening appointment.
Diabetic retinopathy screening is not a replacement for your regular eye exam. Screening will not pick up every sign of disease.
Some changes to watch out for include:
- sudden vision loss
- spots floating in your vision (floaters)
- blurred or fluctuating vision.
Supporting everyone
We know that everyone’s situation is different. That’s why we offer:
- longer appointments if you need extra time or support
- accessible units that can accommodate most wheelchairs
- accessible information in plain language and easy-read formats, with photo stories and video stories showing what happens at screening
- videos in different languages
- a video with Irish Sign Language
- a dedicated Access Officer (access@diabeticretinascreen.ie) to help you if you have a disability and have particular access needs.
We’re here to help - before, during and after your appointment.
Choosing screening
Screening is a choice. We support you to make the decision that’s right for you, with clear information, available in different formats.
Diabetic eye screening is an important part of your diabetes management and care. You can help to keep your eyes healthy by taking your diabetes medication as prescribed and managing your blood glucose levels and blood pressure.
If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and are aged 12 and over, make sure you are on the Diabetic RetinaScreen register and that we have your up-to-date contact details.
You can do this:
- online
- by phone: 1800 45 45 55
- by email: info@diabeticretinascreen.ie
Get more information at hse.ie/diabeticretinascreen