Diabetic Screening recall times changed in Wales

The Welsh Government Minister for Health and Social Services agreed that Public Health Wales implement the change, which will see the screening interval for diabetic eye screening participants who are identified as being at low risk of diabetic retinopathy invited for screening every two years.

Dr Sharon Hillier, Director of Screening at Public Health Wales, said: “This change is in-line with UK National Screening Committee and Wales Screening Committee recommendations. Evidence shows that it is safe for people with no diabetic eye disease to be screened every two years.

“People whose last two diabetic eye screenings found no sign of diabetic eye disease will be safely screened every two years instead of every year. Everyone else will be screened as usual.

“The change has already been implemented in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

“This will enable services to see people at higher risk of diabetic eye disease sooner.”