Contents
Getting your eye screening results
Within six weeks, both you and your GP should receive a letter letting you know your results.
We can’t provide results immediately as the photographs need to be studied by a number of different healthcare professionals who are trained in identifying and grading retinopathy.
What the results mean
The results letter will inform you of the level of retinopathy and maculopathy that has been found at the back of your eye. The retinopathy grade will tell you if the eye has generally been affected by diabetes and the maculopathy grade will say if it is affecting the most important part of the eye – the macula.
Retinopathy
R0: No retinopathy which means that there are currently no changes to your eyes caused by diabetes.
R1: Background retinopathy. Small changes to the blood vessels in the retina at the back of the eye. You do not need treatment at this time and background retinopathy does not affect your sight
R2L: Pre-proliferative retinopathy: changes to the retina that could result in long-term problems with your sight. You will be invited to our digital service clinic which will include additional images using OCT. You may be invited more often so that we can monitor the changes to retina more regular.
R2H: More advanced pre-proliferative retinopathy: changes to the retina that could result in long-term problems with your sight. You will be referred to Ophthalmology so that you can be reviewed by an Ophthalmologist (eye doctor).
R3A: (active): Sight threatening retinopathy: Serious changes to the blood vessels at the back of the eye that need treatment. This will mean that you are referred to Ophthalmology to be reviewed by a Consultant and may involve laser treatment or an injection into the eye.
R3S: (stable) proliferative retinopathy: Serious changes to the blood vessels at the back of the eye that have been treated and have been noted as a stable retina with respect to reference images taken at or shortly after discharge from HES. There may be evidence of peripheral retinal laser treatment. A referral outcome grader (ROG) will always be responsible for the decision as to whether the presentation can be considered stable. They may make that decision based on photography and patient history when encountering people who have moved from other screening services.
Maculopathy
M0: No changes that affect the macula.
M1: Changes to the macula which needs further checks more often than 12 months using OCT. You may also be referred to Ophthalmology if treatment is required.
Other information provided in the letter may include:
- Referral to Ophthalmology: The photographs have shown that you have some abnormalities in the retina that have been assessed and considered that you may need some treatment.
- Not related to diabetes: Further assessment is required by an eye specialist, or you have cataracts and have requested to see an eye specialist regarding this.
- Photographs not clear: Currently we will refer you to the hospital eye department to see an eye specialist who will use different equipment to get a clearer view of the back of the eye. However, we will soon be moving this pathway into the Diabetic Eye Screening Programme and you will then be invited to be screened by our Slit Lamp Technician.
You can find more information about this on the UK Government website: Diabetic eye screening: slit lamp examination explained – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) - Digital surveillance: If you are pregnant you will be provided with additional screening throughout your pregnancy. If you have R2L, M1 or R3S grades which are detailed above, you will be invited to attend the digital surveillance pathway for additional photographs and OCT. This is to enable to monitor your eyes more frequently and ensure a timely referral to ophthalmology when required. It is important that you attend every time you are invited.