First Minister Sees Innovative Eye Screening Service At Work, Wales

Main Category: Eye Health / Blindness
Also Included In: Diabetes
Article Date: 15 Sep 2008 - 5:00 PST

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First Minister Rhodri Morgan has visited an important service that is leading the way in Europe in the eyecare of people with diabetes.

The Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Service, based in Treforest, is a successful part of the Welsh Assembly Government's Eye Care Initiative, and provides a Wales-wide screening service that detects retinopathy in people with diabetes at an early stage. People with diabetes are at risk of developing this disease, which affects the blood vessels supplying the retina, and if left undetected could lead to blindness.

Since its establishment and roll out in the last five years, people with diabetes have been invited to attend a special screening at locations across Wales, where digital images of the patient's eye are taken. The images are then sent to the Screening Centre in Upper Boat to be assessed. Patients are sent the results and can be referred to GPs and optometrists if necessary and even to hospital if there is urgency.

First Minister Rhodri Morgan said: "This service is invaluable to people with diabetes, who can be at risk of losing their sight if this disease goes undetected. By offering this service, there is a much improved chance of preserving people's sight through the early detection of eye disease.

"What has impressed me on my visit today is that this service is way ahead of what is provided in other parts of the UK and even in Europe. The only other European country which offers a similar service is Iceland so this is yet another example of how Wales is setting the pace once again."

Notes

The Wales Eye Care Initiative sets out to preserve sight through the early detection of eye disease and to help those with Low Vision whose sight will not improve. Details can be found at http://www.eyecarewales.nhs.uk

The First Minister will visit the Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Service at 13.30 on Friday 12 September. The Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Service is based at 1 Fairway Court, Upper Boat, Treforest CF37 5UA

Wales Eye Care Initiative