Diabetic Eye Screening Programme

Diabetic eye checks will usually be done separately to your diabetes check-up.

Diabetic eye checks are managed by the diabetic eye screening programme team (DESP) and are not usually done at your GP surgery or at hospital. 

To ensure our service is accessible as possible, we screen at 10 locations across Northamptonshire.

We advise that you DO NOT drive after your appointment. The eye drops we administer can cause your eyesight to go blurry for up to 6 hours and limit your vision. 

What happens?

• When you arrive, you will be greeted by the friendly screening staff. After confirming your details you will be taken through for your eye screening. Please note - this screening is NOT the same as an optician's eye check. The screening is vital for diabetes patients so please do keep your appointments with us.   
• Our team will put eye drops into both eyes; this may sting for a few seconds but passes quickly. The drops are vital so that we can get a clear picture of the back of your eyes.  Please, don't see drops as a barrier to coming to regular screening, we will do what we can to help you.
• We will then ask you to wait in the waiting area while the eye drops take effect, this usually takes 15 to 20 minutes.
• After this time you will be shown into another room for the screening where we will ask you to place your chin on the rest and look into the camera. Your images will be taken, and then you are free to go home.
  Your images will be processed and assessed by the grading team. You and your GP will usually receive the results in three weeks.
• If there is any need for more images to be taken, or a referral to be made for further treatment, we will let you know and explain the process to you.

Do I need to bring anything to my appointment?

• Any glasses that you use. 
• Sunglasses - as your eyes may be light sensitive after the drops.
• Information regarding your eyes, or information you want us to know.
• If you are attending by pre-booked transport, you may want to bring something to eat or drink as you may need to wait.
• If needed, someone to help you with personal needs.

We know that at certain of times of the day it can be difficult to get through on the telephone. Please try again at a different time of day. 

The booking office telephone line is available Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm. Out of hours there is voicemail available, you can leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

Or, If this is not your first appointment with the service, you can book your appointments online at https://desp.nhft.nhs.uk

If you do not see an appointment that is suitable, please call the booking office on 03000 11 11 88 to see if we can help. We will do our best to book you in.

If you are concerned about a change in your eyes we advise you contact your GP or optician.

In severe cases, please contact eye casualty at either Northampton General Hospital or Kettering General Hospital.

If you need urgent help please go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Department.

From October 2023, the UK National Screening Committee's recommended that it is safe for people with no diabetic eye disease to be screened every 2 years.

UK National Screening Committee state: People with diabetes in England aged 12 and over, who have had 2 consecutive eye screening tests showing no signs of diabetic retinopathy, will start to be offered screening every 2 years. Anyone at higher risk will continue to receive more regular eye screening.

More Information can be found here.

If there are any concerns or questions, we are more than happy to help, you can call the booking office 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday on 03000 11 11 88 and speak to one of our team who will do their best to get the information or support that you may need. 

During pregnancy there is a small risk that diabetic retinopathy may develop or develop more rapidly than usual.

It is recommended that all women with diabetes, who are pregnant, are screened at regular intervals in accordance with NSC guidelines.

For further information regarding screening during pregnancy please call 03000 11 11 88 and a member of the Retinal Eye Screening team can advise and answer any questions you may have.

If you have gestational diabetes, which is often a temporary condition, you will not be invited for diabetic eye screening.