Diabetic eye screening
Information explaining the NHS diabetic eye screening programme and why it is offered.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
This guidance is for people aged 12 and over who have been invited for a diabetic eye test. You can choose whether to take the test or not.
People with diabetes are at risk of damage from an eye condition called diabetic retinopathy. Screening can detect retinopathy before you notice any changes to your vision.
This screening does not look for other eye conditions, so you should continue to visit your optician for regular eye examinations as well.
See the easy read version of the diabetic eye screening guidance.
See Population screening explained for further information and videos (in English and 10 other languages) on all screening tests the NHS offers.
Order printed leaflets
Local screening services can order free printed leaflets of this information. See guidance on NHS population screening: how to order printed leaflets.
To request another format, phone 0300 311 22 33 or email england.contactus@nhs.net.
Updates to this page
Published 30 January 2015Last updated 17 February 2025 + show all updates
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Updated in line with Whitehall publishing guidance.
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Published latest version of the leaflet in 30 languages. Amended paragraph on personal information to provide clarity (English).
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Added information on stages of diabetic retinopathy to the results section.
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Information on optical coherence tomography added. Minor changes made to improve readability.
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Added NHS England contact details for requesting alternative formats.
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Added Ukrainian translation
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Translations updated inline with the DES interval changes on 1 October 2023
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The HTML document and leaflet have been changed to reflect that if no diabetic retinopathy was detected, you will be invited for screening every 1 or 2 years.
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Updating confidentiality section, replacing mention of Public Health England with NHS England.
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Addition of 'following medical advice' to regular exercise advice under 'How you can help' section.
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Addition of plain A4 PDF version for printing, to provide for people unable to access this information online.
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Added lifetime screening pathway animations to landing page.
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Translations converted to HTML.
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Updated guidance about use of personally identifiable information.
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Updated diabetic eye screening leaflet.
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Added HTML version of diabetic eye screening invitation leaflet.
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Added new easy read guide, replacing out of date leaflet.
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Added opt-out and patient consent information to leaflet.
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Addition of link to audio version.
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First published.