Eye screening for diabetics

The Diabetic Retinopathy Programme means all diabetic patients will be offered an appointment to check for changes in their eyes which can lead to diabetic retinopathy, a condition where changes to the tiny blood vessels supplying the retina occur.

This is where what we see is transformed into nervous impulses and conducted back to the brain and if not treated, can lead to blindness.

Diabetic retinopathy is now one of the most common causes of blindness in the western world and there are not usually any symptoms, which is why it is so important that screening takes place.

The condition only affects diabetics as diabetes tends to cause tissue damage, especially if the diabetes is not kept under control.

Clinics will be held at Princes Park Health Centre, Eastbourne and a mobile unit will visit Seaford and Hailsham.

Sharon Masterton, diabetic retinopathy screening manager, said: 'Diabetic patients should still continue to see their optometrist for routine eye appointments which are vital for continued eye health.

'However, in East Sussex optometrists are not part of this diabetic retinopathy screening programme, which is why it's recommended that patients should attend this screening programme which meets national screening committee standards.'