- Date awarded: February 2024
- Awarded value: £33,480
- Location: Diabetes Centre, Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy
What is Diabetic eye screening?
Diabetic eye screening in Scotland is a vital service offered to individuals aged 12 and over with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, aimed at detecting diabetic retinopathy early to prevent sight loss.
Diabetic eye screening (DES) is a test designed to check for diabetic retinopathy, a condition that can occur when diabetes causes damage to the small blood vessels in the retina. This screening is crucial as it can identify changes in the retina before symptoms of sight loss occur. Early detection and treatment can significantly reduce the risk of severe vision impairment or blindness.
The Diabetic Eye Screening Service recently installed an OCT scanner within the Diabetes Centre at Victoria Hospital. This scanner uses light waves to produce very detailed images of the eye which enables clinicians to detect fluid in the eye which causes damage to the blood vessels. Additional capacity for the service within Victoria Hospital has delivered significant beneficial effect for patients at risk, particularly those in the Kirkcaldy and Glenrothes areas, where higher levels of multiple deprivation increase the risk. This enables patients to be diagnosed closer to home, and have the most appropriate treatment without any delays, increasing the likelihood of positive outcomes, which can have significant benefits for patients’ quality of life.
The OCT scanner will continue to be used to benefit the people of Kirkcaldy and the surrounding areas. This will improve the quality of patients’ experience and is an example of how the charity is supporting approaches to increase prevention and early intervention across Fife.
Your support
It is areas of the hospital like this that can really benefit from unrestricted giving from our donors and sponsors. Fife Health Charity is able to fund projects in areas like this, that many people don't see but which provide vital services and thus can benefit hugely from our grant making.
