Information for the public about diabetic eye screening (DES) screening is available on the NHS website and in the below videos.

Female lifetime screening pathway

Male lifetime screening pathway

It is an individual’s choice whether or not to have screening. People can opt out if they do not want to receive screening invitations.

The NHS is committed to reducing inequalities and variation in screening participation to help make sure everyone has fair and equal access to screening services.

NHS England provides information about data use and patient confidentiality in population screening programmes.

Target population

Everyone with diabetes who is 12 years old or over is invited for eye screening. If diabetic retinopathy was not found at your last 2 tests, you’ll be invited every 2 years. Everyone else will be screened at more regular intervals.

If you are visiting from overseas and are registered with a GP practice, you may be invited for NHS screening services. Screening is normally free, but if it leads to further tests or treatments not provided by the GP practice, you may be charged for that additional care.

Condition screened for

A range of eye problems can affect people with diabetes. One of these conditions is diabetic retinopathy.

This is a complication of diabetes, which is caused by high blood sugar levels damaging the back of the eye (retina). Diabetic retinopathy can cause blindness if it is left undiagnosed and untreated.

The NHS website has more information, including:

• the stages of diabetic retinopathy
• treatment
• prevention

Diabetic eye screening test

The DES test usually lasts about 30 minutes.

There are several parts to the test. They are:

1. Reading letters on a chart.
2. Having eye drops put into each eye.
3. A photo taken of the back of the eyes.

Evidence base

Diabetic eye screening is one of 11 NHS national population screening programmes available in England.

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) makes recommendations to ministers in the 4 UK countries on all aspects of population screening. It ensures that screening provides more benefit than harm, at a reasonable cost to the NHS.

Recommendations are based on internationally recognised criteria and a rigorous evidence review process.

Read the UK NSC recommendation on DES.

Data and intelligence

NHS England collects routine data to monitor the uptake of DES.

Requests for screening data and research

The DES programme has its own research advisory committee.

PHE has terms of reference for NHS population screening programme research advisory committees.

Commissioning

NHS England publishes the DES pathway requirements specification, which provides an overview of DES screening by describing what should happen at each stage of the end-to-end pathway. Providers and commissioners should use this to ensure high quality and consistent screening services.

DES screening commissioners should use the supporting documents to ensure a fit for purpose programme is set up and meets the required standards.

Quality assurance

The role of the screening quality assurance service (SQAS) is to:

• assess the quality of local screening programmes
• monitor compliance with standards
• support services with improving quality
• undertake regional level quality assurance visits

The programme specific operating model for quality assurance of the DES screening programme should be read in conjunction with the operating model for PHE screening quality assurance service and the relevant programme standards.

Workforce – education and training

Education and training resources are available for healthcare professionals working in DES screening.

There are also more general resources about population screening to support screening professionals in their initial training and continuing professional development (CPD).

Keep up to date

Contact the screening team

NHS England screening
Wellington House
133-155 Waterloo Road
London
SE1 8UG