NHS introduces OCT program to reduce annual hospital visits for patients with diabetes

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A program from National Health Service (NHS) England will bring optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans “closer to home” for thousands of patients. As part of an effort to improve outcomes for patients with diabetic retinopathy, OCT devices are rolling out in hospitals across the country, the NHS said in a news release. The NHS stated that around 4 million people are currently registered with the NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme. In addition, 3.3 million have routine digital screenings, at least every 2 years. “It is expected around 60,000 people who are already showing signs of eye disease will take part in OCT screening, which is offered to people at higher risk of diabetic retinopathy,” the news release read.¹

Previously, under a third of NHS eye care services were offering OCT imaging. There were disparities based on region, as well, according to the NHS news release. Now, all NHS staff are being trained in OCT screening. OCT devices are expected to be implemented into all eye care services by October 2025.

“Ophthalmology is one of the busiest outpatient specialities in secondary care,” the news release noted, with more than 7.5 million outpatient eye care appointments annually. Currently, eye care patients represent 8% of the entire NHS waiting list. The OCT initiative is expected to have a major impact on the backlog of patients waiting on eye appointments. “It is estimated that 120,000 hospital ophthalmology appointments are set to be saved through OCT,” the NHS added in its release, “and it is expected the number of hospital appointments saved will continue to rise.”

Steve Russell, NHS National Director for Vaccinations and Screening, said, “This technology will help us find and treat diabetic eye conditions early, helping minimise and prevent sight loss, and it also means that thousands of appointments in traditional hospital settings could be saved, which is great news for the NHS.”

Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, also provided a statement. “This is a great example of a small change that can make a big difference, giving diabetes patients more reassurance and freeing up thousands of hospital appointments,” he said. “Through our 10 Year Health Plan, we will shift care out of hospitals and into the community, easing pressure on our [accident and emergency departments] and enabling patients to get help closer to home.”

Mike Cypher, a Cheltenham resident with diabetes, also praised the effort to make OCT more accessible. He encouraged other people with diabetes to take a proactive approach in accessing care. “An OCT scan showed quite a major bleed in one of my eyes that could have badly affected my eyesight,” said Cypher, who is 56 and was diagnosed with diabetes in 1980. “I had laser treatment but if I hadn’t attended my routine appointments and had the treatment, my ophthalmologist told me my eyesight could have been irreparably damaged within a short space of time. So, if you’re offered screening, don’t hesitate to attend your appointment. OCT really could save your eyesight, as it’s done for me.”

Reference

1. Digital eye screening for people with diabetes could save hundreds of thousands of hospital appointments. News release. NHS England. Published 18 November, 2024. Accessed 18 November, 2024. https://www.england.nhs.uk/2024/11/digital-eye-screening-for-people-with-diabetes-could-save-hundreds-of-thousands-of-hospital-appointments/