Age-related changes in the eyes mean that residents are likely to want more light for reading and may need glasses.

Age is the most significant risk factor for developing common eye conditions such as glaucoma‚ age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts‚ which can lead to blindness.

People over 60 can have a free NHS eye test‚ yet around 47 per cent of over 60s fail to have their eyes tested regularly.

Diabetic eye screening (retinal photography), using a digital camera, is not the best way to detect these problems, so residents with diabetes will need eye tests.

All people with diabetes are entitled to free annual retinal screening, but there are some who will be ‘exempt’and so excluded from the offer of screening. These groups include:

• A person with diabetes who has made their own informed choice that they no longer wish to be invited for screening.
• A person with diabetes who does not have perception of light in either eye.
• A person with diabetes who is terminally ill.
• A person with diabetes has a physical or mental disability preventing either screening or treatment
• A person with diabetes who is currently under the care of an ophthalmologist for the treatment and follow-up management of diabetic retinopathy, and then only for that period.

Source – NHS retinal screening programme

Reviewed March 2010
Next review September 2011