At the end of the screening procedure the screener will not be able to give you your final result as the photographs will need to be examined by a retinal grader.
Graders are healthcare professionals who have been trained to detect and grade diabetic eye disease. The results will be sent to you and a copy to your GP within a few weeks. You will also be advised when your next screening appointment will be.
You will be advised if there are any problems. Please see link for more detailed information on diabetic retinopathy.
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This image shows a microaneurysm (changes to the small blood vessels) which is the first visible sign we see of changes in the eye due to diabetes. At this stage you would not be aware of any problems and your sight will not be affected. It is at this stage that preventative measures can help to delay progression of the disease.
This image shows multiple haemorrhages. This indicates a progression from mild background retinopathy and requires further assessment at the hospital eye clinic.
This image shows changes to the small blood vessels to the macular which have become leaky. The macular is the central part of your retina. Fluid at the centre of the macular could cause blurred vision. This requires further assessment at the hospital eye clinic. You may need laser treatment.
This image shows new blood vessels growing on the retina. These vessels are abnormal and fragile and can bleed easily. This requires an urgent referral to the hospital eye clinic where laser treatment might be necessary. (As the new vessels are growing in the periphery of the retina this patient was unaware that there was a major sight threatening problem).
Without treatment, the new vessels may cause scar tissue that starts to shrink and cause retinal detachment and the eye becomes blind. Timely treatment prevents blindness.
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The left image shown below was taken with poor dilation.
The right image shown below is the same eye photographed three months later using dilation showing sight threatening retinopathy which was not visible last time
