A SOMERSET opticians store can now provide appointments for sudden eye conditions – easing pressure on the NHS.
Specsavers Minehead is accredited as part of the Acute Community Eyecare Schemes (ACES), meaning it can provide free, fast-tracked appointments for minor eye conditions.
The locally-owned store already has a range of hospital-grade equipment, including Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) technology, which enables the team to take a 3D image of the back of the eye to help spot certain eye conditions up to four years earlier than traditional methods.
Now, as an official ACES store, Specsavers Minehead, in The Parade, can provide immediate assessment and treatment for acute, non-life-threatening eye issues.
READ MORE: Health & Wellbeing news from your Somerset Leveller
Simon Simmonds, a director at the store, said: “We’re delighted to announce our ACES service, which continues our track record of being part of a systemwide range of services helping to bring the best possible optical treatments to the people of Minehead and the surrounding area.
“The ACES service caters specifically for dry eyes and other minor eye problems, with customers being able to be seen at the store rather than going to A&E.”
Conditions that can be treated under the ACES scheme include sudden vision changes, flashes or floaters, red or painful eyes, eye injuries such as having something in the eye, and recent onset double vision.
The ACES service is generally available to residents registered with a local GP in and around Minehead, with patients able to call the store directly to explain why they feel they need an urgent ACES examination.
“The ACES service doesn’t cover all sight-related conditions. If a customer has an eye condition that is being regularly monitored by their optometrist or the hospital eye service, such as cataracts or glaucoma, this will not be covered by ACES,” Simon added.
“In addition, the service does not replace routine eye examinations, eye tests or prescriptions for spectacles.”
Specsavers Minehead is open Monday to Saturday, offering eye health and hearing services. For further information, call 01643 700220.
Leave a Reply