Everyone diagnosed with diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2) in the UK is entitled to a free NHS-funded eye test at any optician. This is in addition to the separate NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme, which specifically checks for diabetic retinopathy using retinal photography. Both are essential, and you should attend both.
Diabetes can affect the eyes in several ways. The most well-known complication is diabetic retinopathy, where high blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels in the retina. Left untreated, this can lead to sight loss. But diabetes also increases the risk of cataracts, glaucoma, and dry eye. A routine eye test at your optician checks your overall vision and eye health, while the separate diabetic eye screening specifically photographs the retina to look for signs of retinopathy.
Your free NHS eye test at the optician should be carried out at least once a year. Your optometrist will check your vision, update your glasses prescription if needed, measure your eye pressure, and examine the health of your eyes. They may detect signs of diabetic eye disease during this examination, but the test covers far more than just diabetes-related changes.
The NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme is a separate service. You should receive an automatic invitation once your GP has recorded your diabetes diagnosis. A trained screener takes detailed photographs of your retina after applying pupil-dilating drops. The images are graded by specialists, and you receive your results by post. If changes are found, you will be referred to a hospital eye clinic. You should attend both your annual optician's eye test and your annual diabetic eye screening — they are complementary, not interchangeable.
If you have not received a diabetic eye screening invitation, contact your GP practice to ensure your diabetes is recorded in their system and that you are registered with the local screening programme.