What are Diabetes and Eye Community Health Events?
Diabetes and Eye Community Health events are taking place in the autumn/winter of 2024 across Hertfordshire.
The focus is on diabetes health management and they will be jam-packed with information, advice and activities for you to enjoy. Come along to:
- Speak to health professionals about your eye health and blood pressure
- Find out about dentistry, podiatry, nutrition and other diabetes-related support
- Visit a range of informative stalls
- Participate in cookery demonstrations and activities.
- Enjoy complimentary refreshments.
What eye-related services will be available?
We are working with Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust to provide diabetic eye screening services at some of the community events. Check out the events below to find out if this service is offered.
Diabetic eye screening is not like a general eye check at the opticians. It is checking for diabetic retinopathy, a sight-threatening condition that can affect anyone with diabetes. It affects the retina at the back of the eye and is caused when the blood vessels become blocked, leak or grow haphazardly.
Why check for diabetic retinopathy?
People with diabetes are at risk of losing their sight through the complication of diabetic retinopathy. If you develop diabetic retinopathy, you may not be aware of any changes to the retina until your vision is impaired, at which point it may not be possible to completely restore vision. So, regular screening is very important to monitor retinal changes.
Am I eligible for eye screening?
Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust offers retinal screening to all people with diabetes, aged 12 and over, who live in the Hertfordshire and West Essex catchment area. If you are diabetic and are due your eye screening or have never had an eye screening, you can be seen at this event!
What will happen at my screening?
At the screening, a health professional will check your sight on a letter chart (please bring your spectacles). Eye drops will be put into your eyes to dilate your pupils to enable high quality photographs of the retinae (back of the eyes) using a digital camera. Once your pupils are sufficiently dilated, usually after 20 minutes, two photographs are taken of each eye.
Important: the eye drops will temporarily blur your vision for around 3-4 hours and make you very sensitive to bright light. It is important that you do not drive after your eye screening as this could invalidate your car insurance. Please come to our event on foot or by public transport if you need a diabetic eye screening.
Do I need to book an appointment?
There is no need to book an appointment. Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust is offering drop-in screenings at some of these events, meaning you can come along whenever you can. Please note, during busy periods, you may be asked to queue or come back later.
If the health professionals cannot perform your eye screening for whatever reason, they will refer you on to their nearest local service.
Where can I find more information?
To find out more about the diabetic eye screening programme, click the button below to visit the Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust website.
Find your local event!
Borehamwood
Date: Monday 2 December from 10am - 2pm.
Venue: Aberford Community Centre, Aberford Road, WD6 1PN.
Diabetic eye screening: will be provided at this event.
Broxbourne (Waltham Cross)
Date: Friday 1 November from 1:30pm - 5:30pm.
Venue: Wormley Community Centre, Fairfield Drive, EN10 6DX.
Diabetic eye screening: will be provided at this event.
Harlow
Date: Wednesday 27 November from 1:30pm - 5:30pm.
Venue: Church Langley Community Centre, Church Langley Way, CM17 9TG.
Hatfield
Date: Wednesday 30 October from 12pm - 4pm.
Venue: Birchwood Leisure Centre, Longmead, Birchwood, AL10 0AN.
Diabetic eye screening: will be provided at this event.
Hemel Hempstead
Date: Wednesday 6 November from 12:45pm - 4:45pm.
Venue: Highfield Community Centre, Fletcher Way, HP2 5SB.
Potters Bar
Date: Thursday 14 November from 10am - 1pm.
Venue: King Charles the Martyr Church Hall, 268 Mutton Lane, EN6 3AS.
Diabetic eye screening: will be provided at this event.
Watford
Date: Thursday 21 November from 1:30pm - 5:30pm.
Venue: Meriden Community Centre, Garsmouth Way, WD25 9ET.
Diabetic eye screening: will be provided at this event.
If you are a local healthcare provider
If you are a local healthcare provider or a community group supporting the delivery of diabetes support groups, and interested in discussing working with us, please contact our CVS team via welcome@communities1st.org.uk or calling 01727 649950 (telephone lines are open from 9am - 4:30pm).