Residents who are registered with a GP in the Richmond Borough can now access NHS optical appointments to treat minor eye issues at local opticians.

Minor issues such as visual disturbance, sore and red eyes can now be assessed and treated under the new ‘local minor eye conditions’ service at participating opticians.

The service – which is not designed for sight tests, can be accessed by booking an appointment with an optometrist during the week or on weekends.

Optical NHS appointments does not see patients who are already registered with an optometrist to treat any major eye conditions.

Cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma conditions will not be referred to the ‘local minor eye conditions’ service and patients are advised to contact a hospital eye service team who will be able to help answer any concerns.

Patients who wish to make an appointment can do so by answering questions about their symptoms and then given an appointment.

Urgent cases will be seen within 24 hours and followed up with a routine appointment.

Patients who need to be seen by a hospital be offered an appointment once an optometrist has made a referral on the patient’s behalf.

Participating opticians include:

Eyecare Opticians, 307 Richmond Road, Ham, KT2 5QU, telephone 020 85490331

Eye Smile Whitton, 120-122 High Street, Whitton, TW2 7LL, telephone 020 87557900

Horrocks & Boyd, 39 Fife Road, Kingston, KT1 1SF, telephone 020 85462481

Specsavers Opticians, 3 Quadrant House, Richmond, TW9 1DJ, telephone 020 84399330

Specsavers Opticians, 16-18 London Road, Twickenham, TW1 3RR, telephone 020 88317520

Specsavers Opticians, 56-58 Clarence Street, Kingston, KT1 1NP, telephone 020 89746677

Specsavers Opticians, 72 High Street, New Malden, Surrey, KT3 4ET, telephone 020 83367620

The ‘minor eye conditions service’ is a free NHS service which can treat the following conditions:

• 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

For more information visit:

http://www.richmondccg.nhs.uk/your-health/minor-eye-problems