InHealth is the largest provider of diabetic eye screening services in the UK, serving a cohort of over 1,000,000 people with diabetes and delivering services since 2011.

Diabetic eye screening is a key part of diabetes care. People with diabetes are at risk of damage from diabetic retinopathy, a condition that can lead to sight loss if it is not treated. This occurs when diabetes affects small blood vessels, damaging the back of the eye called the retina. Early identification and treatment of diabetic eye disease can reduce sight loss. Screening can detect the condition early before you notice any changes to your vision.

The NHS diabetic eye screening (DES) programme is one of the young person and adult NHS population screening programmes. The eligible population for DES is all people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes aged 12 or over who are called once a year for screening.

InHealth Intelligence is the largest provider of diabetic eye screening services in the UK, serving a cohort of over 1,000,000 people with diabetes and delivering services since 2011.

Diabetic eye screening is a key part of diabetes care. People with diabetes are at risk of damage from diabetic retinopathy, a condition that can lead to sight loss if it is not treated. This occurs when diabetes affects small blood vessels, damaging the back of the eye called the retina. Early identification and treatment of diabetic eye disease can reduce sight loss. Screening can detect the condition early before you notice any changes to your vision.

From October 2023 the NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DESP) will start screening people at lower risk of diabetic retinopathy every 2 years instead of every year.

People eligible for diabetic eye screening who have had two consecutive eye screens showing no signs of diabetic retinopathy will be offered screening every 2 years as it is safe to do so.

This change is based on a recommendation by the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) following a large study showing it was safe to invite people in this lower risk group every 2 years. Extended intervals are already in place in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Diabetic eye screening is important as it helps to prevent sight loss. As someone with diabetes, your eyes are at risk of damage from diabetic retinopathy. Screening can detect this condition early before you notice any changes to your vision. If someone is concerned about changes to their eyesight, they should contact their optometrist or optician straight away.

More information about the NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme, can be found at NHS.UK and GOV.UK