Retinal Screening

In some patients, diabetes can cause eye disease, the retinal screening department uses digital photography to annually screen patients with diabetes for diabetic eye disease. The department at Bedford Hospital provides a county-wide service for the whole of Bedfordshire and patients with any type of diabetes are eligible to be screened.

The screening service has five camera units which operate throughout the county, one based at Bedford Hospital, one at Luton and Dunstable Hospital and one in the Kingsway Medical Centre in Luton. There are also two mobile units that visit rural areas around Bedfordshire.

Patients are screened on an annual basis and appointments are offered in GP rotation and according to location. Patients newly diagnosed with diabetes will be offered an appointment with the retinal screening service within three months of receiving the referral from their doctor. You will receive also receive an information leaflet with your appointment letter.

Staff in the retinal screening department include an ophthalmologist, a programme manager, retinal screeners administration assistants and graders, who are guided by the standards set by the National Screening Committee for Diabetic Retinopathy.

Key Staff

Mr Aires Lobo, ophthalmology consultant and clinical lead;

Mrs Rita Bunker, retinal screening service programme manager;

Mrs Alison Appleby, failsafe co-ordinator;

Mrs Diana Naylor, senior administrator;

Clinics

Diabetic retinal screening clinics are held in different locations and run between Monday and Friday.

To make your appointment please ring 01234 795861 between 10am and 12 noon, and 2pm to 4pm Monday to Thursday only.

To change or cancel an appointment please ring 01234 795765 between 8.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

As the lines get very busy please leave a message when asked and we will get back to you as soon as possible .