PATIENT INFORMATION - North Kent

The North Kent Community Ophthalmology Service provides patients experiencing certain eye conditions with appropriate treatment closer to home. The service for ALL patients is now run by PEKM and its ophthalmology partner, Clinical Eye Service Ltd (CES). We have an excellent team of fully qualified and experienced ophthalmologists, optometrists and other specialist staff who are able to provide your patients with the best possible eye care.

Please note that appointments may be face-to-face, virtual or a diagnostic appointment, based on a patient’s eye condition and clinical risk.

For patients who have been seen under Operose, your details have now been transferred to Clinical Eye Service and you will be contacted to book you next appointment in due course. For any queries, you can contact them on 01634 963222. For more general enquiries, you can contact PEKM.

The North 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 run by Operose and 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.

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.