Perceived barriers and facilitators to attending diabetic eye screening appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic

AimDiabetic eye screening is important for the early detection of diabetic retinopathy, to prevent sight loss. The COVID-19 pandemic may have resulted in additional factors influencing whether individuals with diabetes choose to attend their appointment. This study aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators to attending diabetic eye screening during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodEleven semi-structured interviews were conducted between 7th April 2021 and 9th July 2021. Participants included those with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who were in a retinopathy priority group. Interviews were conducted via Microsoft Teams either as video or telephone interviews. Central questions included topics such as thoughts and feelings on COVID-19 and how participants felt about diabetic eye screening. Data were analysed via reflexive thematic analysis. ResultsTwo themes were developed: “Keeping safe from COVID-19 at appointments” and “The importance of protecting their eyesight”. Participants explained barriers and facilitators to keeping safe from COVID-19 at their appointment. These included increased confidence from the vaccine, the perceived risk of catching COVID-19 in certain environments, and trusting the NHS to keep them safe. Participants also discussed the importance of their eyesight and their identity as an attender, which facilitated attendance. Overall, participants considered the benefits of attending screening against the perceived risk of catching COVID-19.ConclusionsThe results indicated several barriers and facilitators participants experienced when deciding whether to attend an eye screening appointment since the COVID-19 pandemic. Service communications must address these as the pandemic continues, and for other future outbreaks of infectious disease.