It is important for GPs to note that a read code of 'Diabetes resolved' stops patients being invited for diabetic eye screening. There has been and continues to be considerable debate on the issue of screening patients whose diabetes is considered 'resolved', for example those who are post-bariatric surgery. Until there is further evidence on the progression of retinopathy in these patients, the national guidance is as follows:
- Once there is or has been a definite diagnosis of diabetes, excluding gestational diabetes, the patient should be screened for diabetic retinopathy annually for life.
- For patients who had steroid induced diabetes whose diabetes is now 'resolved' the decision about screening should be made on a case- by- case basis. If there is any doubt, the patient should continue to be offered screening.
- If you would like a 'diabetes resolved' patient considered for removal from the screening programme, please write to our Failsafe and Communications Manager, Salisbury and North Hampshire Diabetic Eye Screening Programme, Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, Block 8, Odstock Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP2 8BJ or email Richard.Bolton@nhs.net , giving full information regarding a patient's diabetes history.
