Skip to content

Diabetic eye screening FAQs - Questions about your diabetic eye screening appointment

After my appointment, how long will my eyesight be affected?

Your eyesight may become blurry and your eyes may become very sensitive to light and glare for up to six hours.  We recommend that you bring a pair of sunglasses to help with the sensitivity to light.

You must not drive a vehicle or operate machinery until you feel that you can see clearly.

Will the drops cause any side effects?

Sometimes you may experience a dry mouth after having the eye drops, but this will be temporary. Very rarely, the drops can cause a sudden rise in pressure within the eye.

The symptoms of this are:
•       pain or severe discomfort in or around your eye
•       redness in the white of your eye
•       worsening or persistent blurred vision a few hours after being screened, sometimes with rainbow halos around lights, and
•       nausea or vomiting.

If you have any of these symptoms after screening, you should be seen immediately by your optometrist, or go to an emergency department (A&E). Do not wait as you may need treatment to reduce the pressure in your eye.

I am worried my mobility may stop me from attending my diabetic eye screening appointment – what should I do?

Contact us before your appointment, so we can offer you an accessible appointment.

I have missed my appointment, what do I do?

Contact us if you missed your diabetic eye screening appointment.

Page last reviewed: 3rd April 2025