What is Community Eye Care Service (CECS)?
Symptoms that can be seen under the service include:
- Loss of vision, including transient loss
- Flashes and floaters
- Ocular pain and irritation
- Eye infections that have not responded to treatment
- Trichiasis (in growing eyelashes).
If you have dry eye or red eye symptoms you may be advised to self-care or seek support from your local pharmacy first.
Please note, this is not a sight test.
Also, if you have a major eye condition that is being regularly monitored by your optometrists or hospital eye service, this will not be covered by this service, for example, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma
- An appointment will be required – whether virtually (telephone or video) or face to face, so please telephone first.
- Appointments are available during normal working hours and some practices offer appointments in the evenings and at weekends.
- Not all Opticians have an optometrist available every day, but if they don’t, they will be able to find you an alternative appointment nearby.
Who is this service for?
- If you are registered with a local GP (North Yorkshire) you can use this service.
- It is for people of most ages – adults and children over the age of 2 years. Children under 16 years must be accompanied at their appointment by an adult.
How do I book an appointment with the service?
- To make an appointment please follow the link below
- You will be asked some questions about your symptoms in order to assess if you need to be seen and how quickly, which will be within 24hrs for urgent cases.
- You will be given an appointment with a a clinician within the recommended time frame.
- When you attend an appointment in person, 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 organise you an urgent appointment at a hospital eye clinic.
- If you need a routine appointment with a hospital, the optometrist will organise 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.
For a full list of optical practices please go to www.primaryeyecare.co.uk/find-a-practice/