Providing digital eye scans closer to home for people with diabetes could save up to 120,000 hospital appointments a year and help prevent sight loss.

The use of the optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans means around 60,000 people with diabetes can receive advanced screening outside a traditional hospital setting, such as some larger GP practices, community hospitals or mobile vans across the country.

The rollout is part of an NHS England drive to boost productivity and provide the best patient care while driving maximum value for taxpayer.

There are currently around four million people registered with the NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme and 3.3 million of those have routine digital screening every one or two years.

OCT uses light waves to take more than 1,000 images of the eye, from the retina to the optic nerve to create a detailed 3D image that gives more accurate results than standard cameras.

Steve Russell, NHS national director for vaccinations and screening, said: “It’s fantastic news that these advanced eye scans will be available closer to home for thousands of people with diabetes across the country.

“This technology will help us find and treat diabetic eye conditions early, helping minimise and prevent sight loss, and it also means that thousands of appointments in traditional hospital settings could be saved, which is great news for the NHS.”

Minister of state for care, Stephen Kinnock, said: “This is a great example of a small change that can make a big difference, giving diabetes patients more reassurance and freeing up thousands of hospital appointments.

“Through our 10 Year Health Plan, we will shift care out of hospitals and into the community, easing pressure on our A&Es and enabling patients to get help closer to home. These fundamental reforms mean we will build an NHS that is fit for the future and delivering for all patients.”