Advanced eye screening helps in fight against diabetic sight-loss
People with diabetes can now access advanced sight-saving eye scans closer to home, with NHFT offering the new high-tech service at clinics around the county.
People with diabetes can develop a conditions known as diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy, which are caused by high blood sugar levels damaging the back of the eye (retina). They can cause blindness if left undiagnosed and untreated but regular eye
screening appointments can pick up problems early on.
As part of a national NHS drive, optical coherence tomography (OCT) scanning is now provided by NHFT as a routine diabetic eye screening test for eligible patients.
OCT uses light waves to take more than 1,000 images of your eye, from the retina to the optic nerve to create a detailed 3D image that gives more accurate results than standard cameras.
The scans detect changes to the eye that don't show up in colour photography, such as a thickening of the retina.
The scans make it easier for eye problems to be identified early, and by offering them at local clinics, NHFT makes it possible for more people to access the screening nearer to where they live instead of having to travel to Northampton or Kettering General
Hospital.
This has a wider benefit for the NHS because it frees up more appointments with hospital eye (ophthalmology) services for those with the most urgent need.
The team behind the new OCT scans in Northamptonshire are Samantha Butler and Emma Bonura, Senior Screener Graders for NHFT's Diabetic Eye Screening Programme team.
They have received specialist training to provide the screening, which is currently provided at clinics in Kettering, Northampton and Wellingborough and is expected to be available in Brackley, Corby and Daventry by the end of 2026.
Katie Tompkins, Diabetic Eye Screening Programme Manager, said: "Eye screening is hugely important for people with diabetes because they are at higher risk of developing complications which could lead to sight loss - and our OCT clinics are another way we are supporting our patients to look after their eye health.
"Early detection means early treatment, so I'd urge everyone who's invited along for a scan to make sure they don't miss it."
Find out more about diabetic eye screening at nhft.nhs.uk/diabeticeye