Primary Eyecare provides NHS funded eyecare services across large parts of England. The services are available from the majority of local opticians, from the smallest independent practice to the largest national chains.
Minor Conditions treated by the service
The Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS) provides assessment and treatment for people with recently occurring minor eye problems.
If you are experiencing:
- Red eye or eyelids
- Dry, gritty or uncomfortable eyes
- Eye irritation and inflammation
- A lot of recent discharge from the eye or watery eye
- Recently occurring flashes or floaters
- Painful eye
- Ingrowing lashes
- Recent and sudden loss of vision
- Foreign body in the eye
You do not need a GP appointment or referral you can arrange an appointment with an optician through the Minor Eye Conditions Service.
Urgent eye care covered by this service
The Urgent Eyecare Service (UES) provides urgent assessment, treatment or referral for sudden onset eye problems such as flashes, floaters, vision loss or minor eye injuries.
- Red or painful eye or eyelids
- Recently occurring flashes and floaters
- Recent and sudden loss of vision
- Foreign body in the eye
This is an NHS service provided by accredited opticians.
If you have a major eye condition that is being regularly monitored by your optometrist or hospital eye service, such as cataracts, diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma, this is not covered by this service.
You do not need a GP appointment or referral you can arrange an appointment with an optician through the Urgent Eye Care Service.