The NHS in England has announced a digital eye screening programme that could potentially free up to 120,000 hospital appointments annually, aiding in the battle against sight loss. The scheme will offer advanced eye scans for individuals with diabetes in more accessible locations, including select GP surgeries, community hospitals, and mobile units nationwide.
This initiative is set to significantly alleviate pressure on hospital services by reducing the number of ophthalmology appointments needed. Ophthalmology accounts for nearly one-tenth of the entire NHS waiting list.
Steve Russell, the NHS national director for vaccinations and screening, said: “It’s fantastic news that these advanced eye scans will be available closer to home for thousands of people with diabetes across the country. This technology will help us find and treat diabetic eye conditions early, helping minimise and prevent sight loss, and it also means that thousands of appointments in traditional hospital settings could be saved, which is great news for the NHS.”
Diabetes patients are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, a serious condition where high blood sugar levels damage the retina. Without diagnosis and treatment, this can lead to blindness. However, regular eye screenings can detect issues at an early stage, allowing for timely intervention, reports Surrey Live.
About four million individuals are on the NHS diabetic eye screening register, with around 3.3 million getting a digital screen biennially. It’s anticipated that some 60,000 at-risk patients will advance to OCT tests, known for their prowess in picking up diabetic retinopathy signs.
Less than a third of services provided OCT previously, but by the forthcoming October, all eye care units are set to utilise the tech.
Providing more precise detections than standard imaging, OCT furnishes a 3D visual and spots shifts absent in normal colour photos.
Care Minister Stephen Kinnock said: “This is a great example of a small change that can make a big difference, giving diabetes patients more reassurance and freeing up thousands of hospital appointments. Through our 10 Year Health Plan, we will shift care out of hospitals and into the community, easing pressure on our AandEs and enabling patients to get help closer to home. These fundamental reforms mean we will build an NHS that is fit for the future and delivering for all patients.”