About diabetic eye screening - Reasons to attend diabetic eye screening
Taking part in screening is your choice. It is important that you understand the benefits and risks of screening to help you decide if taking part is right for you. Diabetic eye screening is one of the 15 essential healthcare checks identified by Diabetes UK.
Does diabetic eye screening stop me from getting diabetic retinopathy?
Diabetic eye screening does not stop you from getting retinopathy. Screening can find changes if they are already there.
Diabetic retinopathy can develop at any time. It is important to speak with your optician or doctors’ surgery if you notice any changes to your eyesight even if you have recently been for diabetic eye screening.
It is important to keep healthy, by managing and treating your diabetes. Visit Diabetes management | taking care of your diabetes | Diabetes UK or talk to your health professional for more information.
How accurate is diabetic eye screening?
Diabetic eye screening is the best way of finding retinopathy early. However, some changes are very difficult to see.
Sometimes we cannot take a clear photo of the back of your eyes. Sometimes we will call you back for another appointment or we may refer you to an eye specialist for another try.
Diabetic retinopathy can develop at any time. It is important to talk with your optician or doctors’ surgery if you notice any changes to your eyesight, even if you have recently been for diabetic eye screening.
What are the risks of diabetic eye screening?
- Diabetic eye screening is the best way of finding retinopathy. Screening for diabetic retinopathy is not 100% accurate. On rare occasions, screening can sometimes miss changes. Everything possible is done to reduce this happening.
- Diabetic eye screening can find retinopathy at an early stage but does not stop it from developing.
- The eye drops used during screening may cause some discomfort for a few seconds. Your sight will be blurred for about four to six hours. Very rarely the drops can cause other side effects.
If you have any questions or concerns about going for your diabetic eye screening talk with your doctor or diabetes team.
You can opt out of the screening programme by contacting us. This means you can choose not to be invited. If you change your mind you can opt back into the screening programme at any time by contacting us.
What are the benefits of diabetic eye screening?
- Diabetic eye screening can find changes in your eyes before it affects your eye sight.
- Finding changes early and having treatment can prevent sight loss.
- Diabetic eye screening is different to your eye test at your optician as it looks for changes caused by having diabetes.
Page last reviewed: 23rd December 2025