Eye screening for diabetics (retinopathy)
People with diabetes have a risk of developing retinopathy (damage to the retina at the back of the eyes). To help spot any problems as early as possible, they should have their eyes screened at least once a year either at an accredited optometry practice (opticians) or at hospital.
NHS Birmingham East and North offers a free, state-of-the-art eye screening service for patients with diabetes.
Who can use the service
The free service is part of Birmingham and Black Country Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Service, so is available to anyone with diabetes.
How to use the service
You will need to be registered as a patient with a diabetes with your GP. Then your GP will need to register you with us before we can screen you.
How we provide the service
You will receive a letter when your eye screening is due. This will contain a list of accredited opticians you can contact to arrange your screening appointment.
Contact details
- Heartlands Hospital – Tel: 0121 424 3173
- Good Hope Hospital – Tel: 0121 424 9250
- Visit www.bbcretinopathyscreening.nhs.uk for more details.
Further contacts
- Dudley – Tel: 01384 365015
- Heart of Birmingham – Tel: 0121 255 0148
- Sandwell – Tel: 0121 285 0189
- Solihull – Tel: 0121 424 4572
- South Birmingham – Tel: 0121 627 8890
- Walsall – Tel: 01922 656415
What to expect when you use the service for the first time
During your eye screening appointment drops will be put into your eyes which will open up your pupils allowing for a better view of the back of your eyes. You will place your chin on a support whilst photos of the back of your eyes are taken.
The screening is carried out by taking digital photographs of the back of each eye. The photographs are reviewed by trained screening staff and, where required, seen for a second opinion by a hospital doctor. You are then recommended either for yearly eye screening or another appointment is arranged to decide on treatment.
Visit the National Screening Programme for Diabetic Retinopathy website for further details.
Useful links
- Diabetes UK
- National Screening Programme for Diabetic Retinopathy
- NHS Choices: Diabetic retinopathy
- NHS Diabetes
- NHS Evidence: Retinopathy search
- RNIB
Comments and complaints
Contact Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Trust for patient feedback and complaints.
Due to a change of address, I have subsequently attempted to contact the given telephone numbers for Sandwell [now changed - see comment below; RB, NHS BEN] to inform them because I would like my results sending to the correct address. However, the call just goes directly onto voicemail so I have left several messages to call me back to no avail. I would have expected some return or someone to answer the phone during some time in the day but it is impossible.
I consider this service atrocious.
Hi Michelle
I manage the retinopathy co-ordinators in Sandwell at the PCT so I’m really sorry to hear that you were not able to get through to our service. The health of your eyes is very important to us and we want to enable you to get your results at the correct address. Unfortunately we have had some staffing difficulties which may explain the lack of response you’ve had. This is not an excuse but merely an explanation.
I have left my email address on this site so you can contact me if you indicate that would be helpful. Please post a reply and the administrators of the website will be able to give it to you. [NHS BEN site ed - the initial commenter has received a copy of Ian's email address]
Our staffing has now improved so please try the phone numbers again and I hope you will now get a reponse you are happy with.
Our service has recently been assessed and found to be good in many areas but we appreciate it is not perfect. We always strive to improve and your feedback is valuable to us.
Many thanks for your patience…
Ian Walker
Commissioning and Development Manager for Diabetes
Sandwell Primary Care Trust
Please note that the Sandwell telephone number has now been changed since the above comments were posted.
Rob Benson
Ecommunications
NHS Birmingham East and North