A SERVICE designed to test diabetes patients for eye damage has been suspended.

The Diabetic Retinal Screening Service in Colchester and Tendring will not treat any patients for the next eight weeks after an “external review”.

NHS North East Essex has ten contracts with opticians and clinics, including at the Primary Care Centre in Turner Road, Colchester.

The primary care trust has not revealed what was wrong with the service, or if anyone will need to be rescreened.

Screening for diabetes patients is important because the condition can lead to blindness.

Caroline Butler, Diabetes UK care advisor, said: “It is vital that everyone with diabetes receives free annual retinal screening with a digital camera.

“Retinal screening is not the same as a routine sight examination, which NHS North East Essex PCT offers as a confusing alternative.

“Some opticians offer retinal screening but not always as part of the national screening programme, so it is not always free.

“People with diabetes should not have to pay for retinal screening.”

She added diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the UK’s working age population, but it can be prevented if caught early and treated.

She said: “It’s crucial that these appointments are kept up – any disruption to retinal screening programmes can unnecessarily put people with diabetes at risk of retinopathy and potentially blindness.”

Alan Mack, director of corporate development and governance at NHS North East Essex, said the service had stopped temporarily while recommendations were implemented.

He said: “This will result in a small number of patients who are due to be screened imminently as part of the annual recall process, experiencing a slight delay before their next invitation for screening.

“However, if any patients do not wish to wait for this invite letter, then they can contact their optician in the normal way and book in for a routine sight examination.

“NHS North East Essex is working in partnership with opticians and the ophthalmology department in Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust to minimise disruption to the service and envisage recommencement within eight weeks.”

Anyone with concerns can call the Diabetic Retinal Screening Service on 01206 286700 or 01206 286701.