MERTON & WANDSWORTH MINOR EYE CONDITIONS SERVICE

Red eye or other recent minor eye problem? Please see information about the

MERTON & WANDSWORTH MINOR EYE CONDITIONS SERVICE

COVID-19

Please note that during the COVID-19 outbreak, consultations will be undertaken by video or telephone in the first instance. If you have a recent problem with your eyes - such as sore eyes, red eyes or visual disturbance - and you are registered with a GP practice in the London Borough of Merton or Wandsworth, please PHONE one of the local Opticians on the list below for an initial assessment and appointment.

It is a FREE NHS service for people of all ages (children under 16 years must be accompanied at their appointment by an adult).

Minor eye conditions that can be seen under the service include:

• Red eye or eyelids
• Dry eye, or gritty and uncomfortable eyes
• Irritation and inflammation of the eye
• Significant recent sticky discharge from the eye or watery eye
• Recently occurring flashes or floaters
• In-growing eyelashes
• Recent and sudden loss of vision
• Foreign body in the eye

Note

This service is not for sight tests.

If you have an eye condition that is being regularly monitored by your optometrist or hospital eye service, this will not be covered by this service, for example: cataracts, diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma.

Where is the service located?

The service is provided by registered optometry practices (opticians) and a list of participating opticians can be found on this page. This list will be added to over the coming months so do check for your nearest location each time you need to make an appointment.

How do I access the service?

An appointment will normally be required to access the service. Appointments are available during normal working hours and some opticians offer appointments at weekends. Not all opticians will have an optometrist available every day, but if they don’t, they will be able to find you an alternative appointment nearby.

How do I book an appointment?

To make an appointment, you can directly call one of the opticians listed below. You will be asked some questions about your symptoms in order to assess how quickly you need to be seen by the service, which will be within 24 hours in urgent cases and within a few days for routine appointments.

What will happen at the appointment?

Please take your glasses and a list of your current medication with you to the appointment. The optometrist may put drops in your eyes to enlarge your pupils in order to get a better view inside your eyes. You should not drive until the effects of these drops have worn off, which may take a few hours.

If your condition is more serious, the optometrist will book you an urgent appointment at a hospital eye clinic. If you need a routine appointment with a hospital, the optometrist will organize this for you.

You may also be advised to make an appointment with your GP if your eye condition is in relation to your general health.

Participating Opticians as of April 26th 2020.

(You may download a .pdf version of this list here.)

A list of pharmacies providing a dispensing service against written orders for MECS patients whose circumstances require a prescribed medicine, can be found here.