OOs should be invited to help with screening

The Eyecare Trust has called for PCTs to use more optometrists to screen for diabetic retinopathy after government figures revealed that more than 750,000 people with diabetes in the UK could lose their sight because they are not receiving regular screening.

According to the quarterly retinal screening rates published by the Department of Health, 762,673 people with diabetes aged over 12 did not receive digital screening in the year ending March 31 2008.

The survey also revealed that 94 out of 152 PCTs failed to offer all people with diabetes the chance to be screened during this time, despite government targets set in 2003 saying diabetics should be screened every year 'as a minimum'.