WEDNESDAY, 8 APRIL, 2020

COVID-19: Access to eye care services in Tayside

NHS Tayside Area Optical Committee is advising of changes to how people can access eye care during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Opticians in Tayside can currently only provide emergency and essential eye care, with no routine eye tests being carried out until further notice.

Anyone who has an eye problem that needs urgent attention should contact their usual optician by telephone in the first instance. They will carry out a consultation over the phone and, if an emergency examination is required, you will be directed to one of nine newly-established Emergency Eye Care Treatment Centres located across Tayside.

Please note there is no walk-in service available. People should not attend any of these centres unless they have an appointment.

If your usual optician is closed, they will have information on their voicemail advising how to access another optician. People who require emergency eye care in the evenings or weekends should call NHS24 on 111.

Examinations in Emergency Eye Care Treatment Centres will be carried out by optometrists wearing personal protective equipment. If required, the optometrist can provide a prescription for medication which can be collected from a local pharmacy.

Chair of NHS Tayside Area Optical Committee Pamela Robertson said, “While we can’t currently provide routine eye examinations, we will continue to support our colleagues in pharmacy, primary care and the wider NHS by continuing to provide care for those with emergency eye problems.

“This change in current practices means opticians can maintain levels of support to those most in need within the community.”

Contact:

Louise Wilson

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740718