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'.
'Optometrists can and should play a bigger role in retinal screening for diabetics,' said Iain Anderson, chairman of the Eyecare Trust.
'An examination of the retina is part of every core eye examination and the monitoring of diabetic retinopathy is one of our core competencies.'
Explaining the practicalities of optometrists helping with screening, Anderson added: 'Many practices now have retinal cameras which can easily be linked with a main database. I believe that with very little effort and modest cost we could help the PCTs meet their targets easily.'
Simon O'Neill of charity Diabetes UK commented: 'Retinal screening services in England are patchy. PCTs need to ensure they are reaching out to all eligible people to invite them for screening.'
When contacted by Optician, a Department of Health spokeswoman said it was up to PCTs to decide what role optometrists could play.
'It is for programmes at local level to decide how best to provide screening for diabetic retinopathy that meets national standards,' she said.