Primary eye care services
Opticians – also known as optical or optometry practices – are usually your first point of contact for maintaining good eye health, or to help with eye or vision-related symptoms or concerns.
Sight tests are just as important as your routine health or dental checks. Most people should have a sight test every two years. However, some people may need to get their sight checked more often, for example children and people over 60. Some serious eye diseases have no symptoms in the early stages and might only be discovered by a professional examination. Early detection and treatment can prevent longer-term problems.
NHS sight tests are available for many people. Some people can also get NHS help with the cost of glasses.
Primary eye care services – Minor Eye Conditions Service (West Essex)
If you are registered with a GP practice in west Essex and have a minor eye condition you can seek help and advice from the Minor Eye Conditions Service which is provided by some local optometrists in west Essex.
This covers things like eye pain, red or dry or watery eyes, eyelashes or other things irritating or stuck in your eye, inflamed eyelid, lumps or bumps around your eye, flashers or floaters or other sudden issues with your vision.
It is not a walk-in service, but you can phone one of the participating optometrists to talk through what is wrong with your eye. Follow this link to see which optometrists offer the Minor Eye Conditions Service.
After talking with you, the optometrist will decide if you need an appointment and how quickly you need to be seen. For an urgent eye problem, you will be seen within 24 hours or if you need a routine appointment, you will be seen within 5 days.
If the eye condition is minor, the service should be able to treat you, and follow-up with you if needed. If it’s more serious or not an eye condition the service will either refer you to the local hospital or your GP.
Check the NHS website to see if you are eligibleThis short animation shows what to expect when visiting an opticians:
It’s funny most people know they should go to the dentist every six months for a check up, but did you know you should have a sight test every two years. Some people even qualify for it to be NHS funded. John is going for his sight test at an opticians – this can also be known as an optometrists. The person who carries out the sight test is always an optometrist. John’s been getting headaches when reading at work. His colleague suggested he might need a sight test. Sight tests don’t just check what you can see, they can also help detect underlying health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure – to name a few. The optometrist will examine John’s eyes for signs of damage or disease and test what John can see. It’s so simple. If John needs help to see more clearly, the optometrist will give him a prescription. John now understands the benefit of a regular sight test and can read without headaches. It’s a weight off his mind. Whether you have problems with your eyesight or not, book a sight test with your optometrist every two years, making them your first port of call for any eye concerns.
Specialist eye care services
NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB provides specialist eye health services that your GP or optician may refer you to, for example for a cataract or glaucoma assessment. These services may be provided in optical practices, community clinics, or hospitals.
Adult services (for patients aged 16 and over)
Community Health and Eye Care (CHEC) provides a community ophthalmology (eye care), service for patients aged 16 years and over who are registered with a Hertfordshire GP. It gives patients access to specialist assessment and treatment and has centres in Watford and Stevenage. You will need to be referred to the CHEC service by your GP.
Community Health and Eye Care (CHEC)
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Email
Children’s eye service
The children’s eye service, provided by Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust, monitors and treats children with reduced vision and related eye conditions.
Find out more about the children’s eye service on the Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust website.