Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DES)
A focused overview of the Diabetic Eye Screening (DES) Programme for all eye care professionals involved in screening. Develop an understanding of the importance of diabetic eye screening and the care pathways, eligibility criteria and screening process
A practical introduction to the Diabetic Eye Screening (DES) Programme.
Who is this DES course for?
- Hospital eye clinicians
- Medical retina staff
- Ophthalmology trainees
- Retinal image graders
- HES optometrists
- Eye clinic nurses
- DES pathway leads
- Screening QA staff
What’s on this page?
Introduction to the Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DES)
This interactive online learning course provides a practical introduction to the Diabetic Eye Screening (DES) Programme.
The course sets the screening programme context and helps you understand the care pathway. Sessions include detailed descriptions of the anatomy & physiology of the eye, provide information on the symptoms of diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy and how people with diabetes can reduce their risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.
A dedicated session for specialist hospital eye service teams focuses on their role in the screening pathway.
After completing this course, you should be able to:
- Describe the purpose of the Diabetic Eye Screening programme and who is invited for screening.
- Explain (at a high level) how diabetic eye screening is carried out and where retinal imaging fits in the pathway.
- Recognise key retinal features commonly referenced in feature-based grading examples within the module.
You can also:
- Summarise how feature-based grading works in principle (features recorded → grade determined by rules).
- Use the resource appropriately as reference material, and avoid treating it as a diagnostic decision tool.
Course features
- Overview of the Diabetic Eye Screening (DES) Programme for HES specialist clinicians.
- Retinal image examples to support feature recognition and discussion.
- Designed as point-of-reference learning (not a diagnostic tool).
Why choose eIntegrity?
Clear signposting to the right Diabetic Eye Screening learning resource for hospital eye service teams.
A focused, image-led reference you can return to when you need a refresher.
Helps support more consistent conversations about feature-based grading across the team.
Course content overview
This module brings together the essentials: an overview of the Diabetic Eye Screening programme, plus retinal image-led explanations of the features used in feature-based grading. Use it to orient new starters, refresh experienced staff, and support shared understanding across the hospital eye service interface – while keeping clinical decisions anchored in current guidance and local pathways.
- Subject areas covered:Diabetic Eye Screening programme overview; screening purpose and pathway context; retinal image features used in feature-based grading; appropriate use and limitations of reference learning
- What’s included: Retinal image examples; feature explanations used in feature-based grading; reference-style learning content.
Who developed this course?
The Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DES) plays a crucial role in reducing vision loss associated with diabetic retinopathy across the UK through a high‑quality, population‑based screening approach. Building on the national framework established to ensure consistent, evidence‑based care for people with diabetes, the DES provides clear eligibility criteria, structured pathways and standardised processes to support timely identification of retinal changes. Overseen by Public Health England (PHE) Screening and NHS England, and guided by recommendations from the UK National Screening Committee, the programme promotes safe, reliable practice at each stage of the screening journey.
Our nnline DES modules
- Anatomy and physiology of the eye
- Symptoms of diabetes mellitus
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Reducing the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy
- A dedicated session for specialist hospital eye service teams
Access 24/7
The Diabetic Eye Screening (DES) course is delivered entirely online, giving you the flexibility to learn at home, in clinic or on the move. Each session is concise and practical, making it easy to build your understanding of the DES pathway, retinal anatomy, diabetic retinopathy and feature‑based grading without interrupting a busy schedule.
With sessions designed to be completed in short bursts, you can dip in whenever you need a refresher—whether you’re revisiting key retinal features, reinforcing how screening fits into the wider care pathway or supporting your role within the hospital eye service. This structure makes the course ideal for maintaining confidence in screening practice, even when time is limited.
Once you’ve completed the course or individual modules, you can download a completion certificate from the eIntegrity Hub to record your learning. Although the programme does not provide formal CPD accreditation, the certificate can still be retained as evidence of ongoing professional development for your portfolio or local training requirements
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Comparing the cost of DES training
Traditional clinical‑skills training can be expensive, especially when delivered through in‑person workshops or full‑day sessions. With the Diabetic Eye Screening (DES) course, you gain online access to a complete set of focused, image‑led learning materials for one clear subscription fee. This makes developing your understanding of the DES pathway, retinal features and the screening process far more predictable and cost‑effective than organising multiple face‑to‑face updates.
How to get started
Simply enrol through the eIntegrity platform to begin working through the DES modules at your own pace. Each session is designed to be short, structured and practical—covering key areas such as eye anatomy, diabetic retinopathy, symptom awareness, and feature‑based grading—making it easy to fit learning around clinical duties or a busy work schedule.
Who is this programme suitable for?
This course is designed for all health and care professionals who need to This course is designed for a wide range of professionals involved in diabetic eye screening, including:
- Hospital eye clinicians
- Medical retina staff
- Ophthalmology trainees
- Retinal image graders
- HES optometrists
- Eye clinic nurses
- DES pathway leads
- Screening QA staff
The programme supports anyone seeking to strengthen their understanding of the DES pathway, recognise key retinal features, and contribute confidently to screening conversations and care decisions. Whether you are new to screening or refreshing your knowledge, the DES course provides a clear, reliable reference for safe, nationally aligned practice.
