Retinal Screening

Hospital Patient Services › Retinal Screening

The Barnsley Retinal Screening Department is based in the Diabetes Centre. We are open Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 17:00 and weekend and evening clinics are also available.

You can contact the service on 01226 434577/434576

Screening Criteria

Diabetes can affect the eye in a number of ways. The most serious of these involve the Retina in your eye. The blood vessels in the Retina (the light sensitive area at the back of the eye) can become “leaky” or blocked , leading to a condition called  Diabetic Retinopathy. This condition may lead to bleeding or scarring in the centre of the Retina, which if severe cases can lead to loss of sight.

In the early stages you cannot tell if your eyes have been damaged by Diabetes.  That is why it is important that you have your eyes screened every year, so that if any problems are found then treatment can begin, to stop them getting worse.

Once a year people with Diabetes will be invited via letter to attend for their eyes screening.

New Patients (what does screening involve?)

  • First step.Your distance vision will be measured (we will do this by asking you to read some letters from a chart)
  • Second step. Eye drops will be administered ( to widen the pupils to help obtain a clearer image)
  • Step three. After 15/20 minutes 2 pictures of each eye will be photographed. The whole process should take approx 30 minutes.

Where Will The Screening Take Place?

Your local Screening Service offers appointments at the Diabetes Centre at Barnsley Hospital, the Diabetes Centre at Rotherham Hospital as well as a number of community venues.(see outreach areas) Our aim is to provide a screening appointment that is as convenient as possible.

How can I access the service?

Everyone above the age of 12 who has Diabetes and who is registered with a Gp in Barnsley/Rotherham will be invited for a yearly check up of their eyes.

Who will be notified of the results of your screen?

You and your General Practitioner will be notified of your results. If you require to be seen in the Eye Department, your results will be forwarded to the Consultant Ophthalmologist whom you will see. If you are under Diabetology Services at the hospital they too will have your results. Your details will not be made available to any other parties without your consent.