The NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme offers a free, dedicated eye check to everyone with diabetes aged 12 and over, designed to spot diabetic retinopathy early enough to prevent sight loss.

If you are registered as living with diabetes, you will automatically receive a letter every one or two years inviting you to book your free screening appointment – no referral from a GP is needed to be added to the programme.

The appointment itself is quick and painless, using photographs of the back of the eye, and is completely separate from (and in addition to) your regular NHS or private eye test.