NHS Eye Services Self-Booking Available

Did you know that you can book free NHS appointments at local optometrists/opticians for certain eye problems?

There are two NHS services you can self-refer to without needing a GP referral: Community Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES) and Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS). Both services are run by accredited clinicians and covered by the NHS so will not incur a fee.

The Community Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES) provides urgent assessment, treatment or referral for sudden onset eye problems such as

• Red or painful eye or eyelids

• Recently occurring flashes and floaters

• Recent and sudden loss of vision

• Foreign body in the eye

👀CUES service leaflet: PES-UEC-A5-Leaflet-Dec25.pdf

The Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS) provides assessment and treatment for recently occurring minor eye problems. For example, if you are experiencing:

• Red eye or eyelids

• Dry, gritty or uncomfortable eyes

• Eye irritation and inflammation

• A lot of recent discharge from the eye or watery eye

• Recently occurring flashes or floaters

• Painful eye

• Ingrowing lashes

• Recent and sudden loss of vision

• Foreign body in the eye

👀MECS service leaflet: PES-MECs-A5-Leaflet-Jan26.pdf

Please check their individual websites (linked above) for booking and eligibility information. Both CUES and MECS are by appointment and do not take walk-ins. Also, major eye condition regularly monitored by your optometrists or hospital eye service, for example, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma, will not be covered.

Find a CUES or MECS practice here: Find a Practice - Find your nearest participating Optical Practice (Eligibility is based on the GP you are registered with, so for our patients please input Health Centre's postcode when searching.)