The service aims to prevent blindness

Nine in 10 diabetics have type-2 diabetes, which usually develops later in life, unlike type-1, or juvenile diabetes, which can leave sufferers needing insulin injections from their childhood, teens or twenties.

Type-2 sufferers do not make enough insulin, or are unable to make proper use of it.

Without enough insulin, the body cannot move blood sugar into the cells. Sugar builds up in the bloodstream and causes health problems.

Retinopathy is the most feared side-effect of diabetes.

Annual eye test

Tiny blood vessels at the back of the eye burst or get blocked, damaging a patient's eyesight and even causing blindness.

But if it is detected early it is treatable, either through changes in diet or laser surgery.

Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm welcomed the move.

He said: "This will be rolled out very quickly and there will be screening for every diabetic and it will be carried out through the best possible procedure.

"What we want is to find out what is most suitable for the patient and what is clinically effective."

Even in America only 25% of diabetics are screened. It will be a tremendous achievement if Scotland can have 100% cover

Karen Facey HTBS

The Health Technology Board for Scotland will launch a screening programme which will see every diabetic having an annual eye test.

Its director Karen Facey said: "What patients will see change is a much more organised process related to screening.

"Some at the moment don't have annual screening and some perhaps face less effective techniques.

"The screening programme aims to achieve something unique, not seen anywhere else in the world.

No obvious symptoms

"Even in America only 25% of diabetics are screened. It will be a tremendous achievement if Scotland can have 100% cover."

Delia Henry, of Diabetes UK, said she was delighted with the move.

"We know at the moment that about half of the people with diabetes get screening every 15 months or so.

"But we need to have annual screening for as many of the 150,000 who suffer from diabetes in Scotland. Because retinopathy has no obvious symptoms in can creep up on the patient."

It is hoped the screening programme will result in a dramatic reduction in the number of people going blind.

Last year, the Scottish Executive announced new measures to improve prevention, treatment and care of diabetes.