Before a retinal scan, check with your clinic which test you are having and whether it will use pupil-dilating drops: there is no single preparation routine for every appointment. Drops can temporarily blur vision and make bright light uncomfortable, so follow the clinic’s advice about driving and transport. Afterward, ask which test was performed and what follow-up, if any, is planned; a photograph or OCT image is not a diagnosis by itself.
Before your appointment: what to check and bring
“Retinal scan” is an umbrella term for different kinds of eye imaging. Read your appointment letter or contact the clinic to confirm the test, whether drops are planned, and how and when you will receive results. Instructions can differ between services.
- Bring your glasses or contact lenses. NHS diabetic eye-screening guidance also suggests bringing contact lens solution if you need it. NHS diabetic eye screening guidance
- If you attend the Gloucestershire Hospitals retinal imaging service, its leaflet asks patients to bring a current medication list. Check whether your own clinic wants one. Gloucestershire Hospitals retinal imaging leaflet
- If drops are planned, arrange transport according to the clinic’s advice. NHS guidance warns that you may not be able to drive after diabetic eye screening.
- Consider bringing sunglasses for comfort if your eyes are sensitive to bright light afterward. They are optional, not a treatment or requirement.
Do not fast, stop medicines, or change your usual care unless your own clinician tells you to. The cited patient guidance does not set those as routine requirements for retinal photography or OCT.
What happens during a retinal scan?
The sequence depends on the test and service. For NHS diabetic eye screening in England, patients are asked to read letters on a chart, usually receive drops to dilate the pupils, and then have photographs taken with a camera. The NHS says this appointment lasts around 30 minutes; that is programme guidance, not a universal duration. Patients do not usually receive the screening result on the day because the photographs are reviewed afterward. NHS diabetic eye screening guidance
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Other appointments may use different imaging or add tests. If photographs are not clear enough, NHS screening guidance says you may be asked to repeat them.
What do the different tests show?
| Test | What it produces | What it can help assess |
|---|---|---|
| Fundus photography | A camera image of the visible back of the eye. | Retinal appearance and visible changes. Images should be considered alongside your history and examination findings, not interpreted alone. AAO EyeWiki: Fundus Photography |
| Optical coherence tomography (OCT) | Cross-sectional images of tissues at the back of the eye, made using light. | Retinal structure, including diabetic maculopathy in NHS monitoring. OCT is non-invasive; the exact use depends on the clinical question. Cambridge University Hospitals: OCT scan Moorfields: OCT scan |
| Wider-field retinal imaging | A broader view of the retina in an image. | Moorfields Private describes its ultrawide imaging as capturing more than 80% of the retina in one image. This is a provider’s description of its offering, not a specification for every device. Moorfields Private: eye imaging |
These approaches provide different information and are not interchangeable. Your eye-care team chooses imaging based on what it needs to assess. A scan may appear normal, show a change that needs monitoring, or lead to more tests or a referral; image quality can also affect whether the result is usable.
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Can you drive after dilating drops?
Dilating drops can blur vision and increase sensitivity to bright light for a few hours. NHS guidance says, “Your sight may be blurry for a few hours after diabetic eye screening because of the drops that will be put in your eyes.” Follow your clinic’s instructions about driving rather than assuming it is safe to drive immediately. NHS diabetic eye screening guidance
For its own retinal imaging appointment, Gloucestershire Hospitals says blurred vision may last four to six hours. That is a service-specific estimate, not a guaranteed duration for everyone. Gloucestershire Hospitals retinal imaging leaflet
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How to understand the result and follow-up
For NHS diabetic eye screening in England, the NHS describes three broad result groupings. These labels and follow-up intervals apply to that programme; other clinics and countries may use different report wording and timelines. NHS diabetic eye screening guidance
- No eye changes (no retinopathy): no changes were found; routine screening is generally offered again in around one to two years.
- Some changes (background retinopathy): small diabetes-related changes may be present without currently affecting sight; another screening invitation is generally within a year or sooner.
- Eye damage that could affect sight (referable retinopathy): referral to a specialist is made to discuss next steps, which may include additional tests or treatment.
The NHS says diabetic screening results usually arrive by letter within three weeks, after an expert has reviewed the photographs. That is the usual timing for this programme, not a universal deadline for all retinal imaging.
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For closer monitoring in the NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme, UK government guidance says OCT was being introduced from April 2025 to assess issues including diabetic maculopathy. If scans show worsening, the guidance describes referral to hospital ophthalmology for further investigation or treatment; if scans show improvement, a return to routine screening every one to two years may be advised. UK government: Diabetic Eye Screening Programme overview
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to ask your eye-care team
- Which test did I have, and what did it assess?
- What finding needs attention, and is it in one eye or both?
- When and how will I receive the report?
- Do I need another test, a monitoring visit, referral, or treatment?
- Which symptoms should prompt me to contact the clinic sooner?
When to seek help sooner
If you have diabetes, NHS screening guidance advises contacting your GP surgery, diabetes care team, or optometrist about worsening or blurred vision, or difficulty seeing in the dark. These symptoms do not necessarily mean diabetic retinopathy, but should be checked. Sudden or severe vision changes warrant prompt professional assessment rather than waiting for a routine screening letter. Do not try to diagnose an eye condition from a photograph, OCT printout, or online image.
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