TUESDAY, 30 JUNE, 2020

Immediate release

Opticians now open for emergency and essential eye care only

Opticians in Tayside have begun to reopen their practices following the Health Secretary’s announcement that some face-to-face optometry services can resume.

Since the beginning of lockdown, many practices have continued to provide support to their patients by carrying out telephone or video consultations using the Near Me service and, where necessary, arranging appointments at the nine Emergency Eyecare Treatment Centres (EETC) established across Tayside.

As of Monday, 29 June, any face-to-face emergency and essential examinations can now take place in your local optometry practice rather than in an EETC. Routine care, such as sight tests and contact lens checks, is not available at this stage.

Anyone having recent or sudden onset eye problems, such as painful eyes, flashes and floaters, or blurred vision, should telephone their practice which will offer a remote consultation or emergency examination as required. People who require emergency eye care in the evenings or weekends should continue to call NHS24 on 111.

All practices have been provided with personal protective equipment and have put in place physical distancing arrangements and enhanced infection control processes.

The EETCs, which carried out more than 800 emergency examinations over the last three months, have now closed.

Contact:

Louise Wilson

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740718