Free service for eye ailments now available to Huntingdonshire residents

Residents in Huntingdonshire can now take advantage of a new service that caters for minor eye ailments.

The free NHS service is available to patients over the age of 16 and is accessed from opticians located throughout the district.

Some of the eye conditions the service can help and that are safe to be assessed and treated in the community include irritated or inflamed eyes, sticky discharge or watery eyes, ingrown eyelashes, and some types of flashes and floaters. ƒ

Sheila Urquhart an optometrist at Gathercole and Ward, in Ramsey and Huntingdon, said: “If you have a minor eye condition then you can take advantage of this new and free service. With local opticians trained and located in a number of community based settings, it means you can be seen closer to home and will save a trip to hospital.

“Patients should be aware that if they have a major eye condition that is being regularly monitored by their optometrist or hospital eye service, for example cataract or glaucoma, will not be covered by this service.”

The following opticians will have an optometrist specially trained as part of the minor eye service:

Adlam & Coomber in St Neots

Gathercole & Ward in Ramsey and Huntingdon.

Specsavers in Huntingdon

Spectacular Opticians in Chatteris

Patients will be asked some questions their symptoms in order to assess how quickly they need seeing by the service.

Patients have to be registered with a GP practice in Royston, Cambridge City, Cambridge North/South, Huntingdon, St Ives, St Neots, Ely and Wisbech area to access this service.

For more information please visit www.cambridgeshireandpeterboroughccg.nhs.uk/minoreyes