East Kent

The East Kent Minor Eye Care Service (MECS) is a free NHS service which provides patients experiencing certain eye conditions with appropriate treatment closer to home. The service is provided by local optometrists with the specialist knowledge and skills to carry out this work at a locally approved optical practice. Please click here for a list of participating practices.

Conditions covered by the service are as follows:

  • Sudden or recent reduction in vision in one or both eyes
  • Red eye(s) or eye lids
  • Pain and/or discomfort in the eyes, around the eye area or temples
  • Recent onset or sudden increase of flashes and/or floaters in one or both eyes (appears like a fly, black specks or a cobweb moving across your vision)
  • Mild trauma, for example a scratch to the outer surface of the eye(s) or lids(s)
  • Suspected foreign body in the eye
  • Dry eye
  • Significant recent discharge from or watering of the eye
  • Trichiasis (in growing eyelashes)

If you are unsure whether your symptoms qualify, please contact one of the approved opticians who can offer help and advice.

You can contact any of the approved opticians yourself and ask to make a MECS appointment. Alternatively, if you make an appointment to see your GP, they may refer you to the optometrist for treatment.

What happens when I see the optometrist?

Please take a list of all current medications and your current glasses with you to the appointment.

The optometrist will discuss your eye history, any symptoms you may be experiencing and any related medical history. You will receive an eye assessment relevant to your symptoms.

  • Given appropriate treatment by the optometrist, which may include a follow-up appointment
  • Referred to your GP for appropriate treatment if your eye condition is related to your general health
  • Referred directly to the hospital eye service if your eye condition is more serious.

Please note: you may not be able to drive immediately after the eye examination.

Eye Conditions not treated under MECS:

If you have any of the following conditions you must go directly to your nearest Accident and Emergency Department:

  • Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
  • Considerable eye pain
  • Significant trauma, such as a penetrating injury or lacerations to the eye(s) or lid(s)
  • Chemical injury or burns
  • Problems arising from recent eye surgery

In addition, if you have an eye condition that is being monitored regularly by your optometrist or hospital eye service, such as cataracts, glaucoma or dry eye, this will not be covered by MECS.

East Kent MECS Practices

AreaPractice AddressTelephone
Ashford Brownbills OptometristsNorwood Street, Ashford, TN23 1QT01233 625360
Ashford Cargills Optometrists7 North Street, Ashford, TN24 8LF01233 620597
Ashford Specsavers Opticians36 County Square, Ashford, TN23 1YD01233 629999
Ashford Specsavers OpticiansSimone Weil Ave, Ashford, TN24 8YN01233 622055
Birchington R&J Moore47 Station Road, Birchington, CT7 9DJ01843 846016
Broadstairs Boots Opticians7 Margate Road, Broadstairs, CT10 2BF01843 862961
Broadstairs R&J Moore87 High Street, Broadstairs, CT10 1NQ01843 864866
CanterburyBoots Opticians12 Gravel Walk, Canterbury, CT1 2TF01227 462106
Canterbury Cargills Optometrists59 St. Peter’s Street, Canterbury, CT1 5JL01227 766670
CanterburyPybus Opticians5 Palace Street, Canterbury, CT1 2DY01227 760501
CanterburySpecsavers Opticians7 Rose Lane, Canterbury, CT1 2SJ01227 811580
DealBiggs Opticians68 High Street, Deal, CT14 6HE01304 381330
DealBoots Opticians26-28 High Street, Deal, CT14 7AE01304 375794
DealSpecsavers Opticians13 High Street, Deal, CT14 7AA01304 382420
Dover Specsavers OpticiansUnit 2, 11-16 Biggin Street, Dover, CT16 1BD01304 242020
FavershamEye Emporium8 Market Street, Faversham, ME13 7AA01795 532803
FavershamFaversham Medical PracticeBank Street, Faversham, ME138QR01795 501724
FavershamOptima Opticians4 Jacob Yard, Preston Street, Faversham, ME13 8NY01795 531885
FavershamSpecsavers Opticians1 Preston Street, Faversham, ME13 8NS01795 538319
Folkestone Cargills Optometrists122 Sandgate Road, Folkestone, CT20 2BW01303 254471
Folkestone Eye Folk20 Guildhall Street, Folkestone, CT20 1DZ01303 252345
Folkestone Folkstone Eye Centre21D Basepoint Folkstone, Shearway Business Park, CT19 4RH01795 542322
Folkestone Specsavers OpticiansSainsbury’s, Park Farm Road, Folkestone, CT19 5GA01303 256195
FolkestoneSpecsavers Opticians14 Bouverie Place, Folkestone, CT20 1AU01303 212010
Hythe ArchaeOptix50 High Street, Hythe, CT21 5AT01303 488898
Hythe Cargills Optometrists139 High Street, Hythe, CT21 5JL01303 266458
Hythe David Snow Opticians12 High Street, Hythe, CT21 5AT01303 263770
Herne BaySpecsavers Opticians6 The Boulevard, Altira Park, Herne Bay, CT6 6GZ01227 372836
MargateBethesda Medical PracticePalm Bay Avenue, Margate, Kent, CT9 3NR01843 209343
RamsgateR&J Moore35 Queen Street, Ramsgate, CT11 9DZ01843 593027
RamsgateSpecsavers OpticiansSainsbury’s, Dadson Way, Ramsgate, CT12 5FJ01843 231232
RamsgateSpecsavers Opticians37 High Street, Ramsgate, CT11 9AG01843 853856
Sandwich R&J Moore16a King Street, Sandwich, CT13 9BT01843 846016
Sittingbourne Specsavers OpticiansUnit 7/8, The Forum, Sittingbourne, ME10 3DL01795 436100
TenterdenSpecsavers Opticians59 High Street, Tenterden, TN30 6BE01580 392393
Tenterden Tenterden Opticians3-5 High Street, Tenterden, TN30 6BN01580 765222
TenterdenWilson Wilson and Hancock7 High Street, Tenterden, TN30 6BN01580 762069
Whitstable Estuary View Medical CentreBoorman Way, Whitstable, CT5 3SE01227 284314/5
Whitstable Eye Emporium114 High Street, Whitstable, CT5 1AZ01227 264993
Whitstable Specsavers Opticians22 High Street, Whitstable, CT5 1BQ01227 773890
Whitstable Whitstable Eyecare59 High Street, Whitstable, CT5 1AP01227 261981
PARTICIPATING PRACTICES
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