MINOR eye conditions

Minor eye conditions that can be treated by the service include:

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

Who is the service for?

It is for people of all ages – adults and children – and you do not need a GP referral. Children under 16 years must be accompanied at their appointment by an adult.

The service is available in many parts of England – search our directory to find out whether the service is available in your area by entering the postcode for your GP Practice.

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. In this case you should consult your usual optometrist or hospital eye service directly for advice in the usual way.

How do I book an appointment with the service?

You can choose and contact an optical practice directly to make an appointment. This is called self-referral.

You should contact your chosen optical practice by telephone and ask for an urgent eyecare service appointment. Please do not visit the practice without first booking an appointment. You will be asked some questions about your symptoms to assess your needs. More urgent cases will be seen within 24hrs.

You will be contacted by an Urgent Eyecare Service optometrist within a few hours to discuss your symptoms further, either by phone or video call.

If you have very minor symptoms the optometrist may advise you how to manage the condition yourself or how to seek support from your local pharmacy.

Useful information

Click here to download the Urgent Eyecare Service leaflet to find out more.