Eye Tests

Strange one Jenni, I’m diabetic and in the 16 years I have lived here I have had regular eye tests at the medical centre and podiatrist appointments. Albeit they ask me when was my last check or I remind them, but that’s no big deal.

Hi Jack,

I think it must depend on where you live and if your doctor (GP) is on the ball. Now I know I can get on top of it. thanks for reply.

Jenni. I think you have got to be the one to keep a check to see all your check ups are up to date because your GP won't be the one to automatically remind you.  

My husband who is diabetic had his analysis every 3 months and now he is down to 6 months as his sugar count etc is doing so well.  He has to say to the doctor, iI want an eye check, a foot check,  BP etc. and they'll do it or book an appointment wherever it is you have to go. In our area we go to the Bola Azul hospital in Almeria for the eye checks.my husband's  had cataract surgery too at the El Toyo Hospital at Retamar.  Cataracts are very common in diabetics too unfortunately, as well as retinopathy. You should wear sunglasses as much as you can when you're outside. 

Hi Juanida, Thanks for that its very helpful, because we moved here from Valencia where we were sent an appointment for all these things yearly. So I expected the same in Andalucia. Thanks for the info I will go see GP a.s.a.p.  Yes I wear sunglass all the time, even if its only bright and no sun.  Have a nice Day

Hi Jenni,

I don´t know how different it was in your area in the Community of Valencia, but here the health service has had suffered a lot of cutbacks in recent times.  My husband used to get free boxes of strips and we tested his blood sugar every day at least.  Now it´s only Type 1 Diabetics whom get them free.  There were more GPs in the health centres and we were assigned one specific doctor but now we seem to never know who we are getting as it changes soo frequently and you get the feeling that that they are all stand-ins.  At the moment we have one who speaks fast and with a terribly thick accent from goodness knows where, and even my husband cannot understand much that he says even although he is Spanish.  It´s crazy, but I have to go in with him because my hearing is very good and I can eventually work out what this Doctor is he is saying! 

One good thing is that my husband is very on the ball about his health problems and aches and pains.  I used to scoff a bit, but now and I have seen that it just does not pay here to be meek and undemanding.  Nearly all the receptionists are often unhelpful and want to get rid of you as soon as possible and can intimidate some elderly people.  Being British, and never overly concerned about my health routine, I do not find it so easy be as vigilant over my health needs although at my age I ought, but I see that over here, the health service is so understaffed in country areas at least, that one must be on the ball where healthy worries and  check-ups are concerned. 

Hi Juanida,

The health care in Valencia was far better than here,  we use to get notifications when checks up etc were due, I was shocked when we moved here it was like moving back to 1950's UK, which is fine with everyday life, but not with health. Its odd your husband donsn't get strips, I am type 2 and I get strips and lancets every month on prescription on repeat. so I am able to test every day. But getting a HBAC1 test, well thats a joke, we are suppose to have them every 6 months, 3 months if not under control, when I asked my GP for one , he always says the same thing 'is you levels under control, ' I reply 'yes' he says, 'then its not necessary '   So I have just paid 100 euros for an HBAC1 and full blood test at a private docs. I always take an interpreter with me as my G.P doesn't speak a word of English and my Spanish is poor. She is very good and will stand up to him as you say its no good being meek and mild, its not the Spanish way.

It does seem here that it depends on what area you live in and what doctor you get, to the treatment you are offered, I find that very odd.

Have a good day.  Jenni

That's very interesting, Jenni.  When I told my husband about your paying for those tests he was most indignant about your not getting these HBAC1 tests on a regular basis at your health centre.  I am assuming these are the analysis (blood and urine, which he was doing every 3 months and now is having to do every 6 months) to keep a check on glucose, cholesterol, triglicerides etc.  I had never heard them give it a specific name here.

Maybe your GP is leaving the control up to you and that's why you're getting the strips, but it is not enough.  You are entitled to have these periodic checks if you are in the public health service - everywhere in Spain if you are a diabetic!    We have been told by various doctors that type 2 can't have prescription strips now and that the blood glucose is  calculated by ratio every 3 or 6 months.  My husband's count was 6.4 the last time. 

In Sorbas the samples are picked up twice weekly so you can only have the tests done on Mondays or Wednesdays and they are tested at Torrecárdenas Hospital in Almeria. I would have thought you'd have a similar arrangement but yours would go to Huercal Overa hospital, probably. About a week later, the results are ready and when the health centres were closed during lockdown, I had them sent to my email address after my husband spoke to the doctor on the phone about the results. Normally you make an appointment for the week following the samples being sent off. 

Sounds as if your clinic maybe doesn't have the staff or equipment to take these samples, but you are entitled and they are important as you already know. 

Hope you get it sorted out for next time. 

Hi Juanida,

Yes we are talking about the same test.  The one I just paid for was 5.5 so all OK. Isnt it odd that you have been told you cant have the strips yet I get them every month. I really do think that in Andalucia it really depends on where you live and if you have a doctor that is on the ball, its like asthma, I have had asthma all my life, so can control and I know what to do if I have an attack, but since I have lived in Andalucia no doctor has ever mentioned it, done a breath test, no checks what so ever, which is fine for me I know what I am doing, but I dread to think how people manage that are newly diagnosed with no back up. After saying all of that when my husband had sepsis, they whipped him off the HO hospital, where they undoubtedly saved his life, so I guess its a case of taking the rough with the smooth. But I thank you for telling me that its me that has to insist on the check up's I have been sitting here waiting for the letters LOL.  Have a good evening