The Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS)
Date issued: May 2024
Review date: May 2026
Ref: A-387/NM/REI/The minor eye care service MECS v4
The Minor Eye Conditions Service provides urgent eye assessments for patients complaining of recent eye conditions.
What conditions may be seen by MECS?
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Red eye or eyelids with no reduced vision
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Dry, or gritty, or itchy and uncomfortable eyes. Patients should have tried a 'Dry Eye' drop (available from most opticians or pharmacies) for a minimum of two weeks with no improvement before presenting for a MECs appointment.
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Ingrowing eyelashes — if this is a recurrent problem then a referral may be required and not a MECs appointment. Please speak to your own optician for advice before booking a MECs appointment.
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Mild eye pain (on a scale of 1 to 5): 1 to 3 improving with pain killers
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Irritation and inflammation of the eye
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Superficial foreign body in the eye
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Significant recent sticky discharge from the eye or watery eye
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Recent flashes or floaters for less than 3 months with no loss of vision and / or no obstruction across vision
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Recent loss or distortion of vision for more than 48 hours and less than 3 months with no pain
What assessments will the MECS Practitioners make?
The MECS Practitioner will:
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Take a history of your present problem, any past eye and medical history, medications, allergies, and family history of eye disease.
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Assess your vision and examine your eyes. They may also use drops to enlarge your pupils. These may affect your vision for a few hours (up to 6 hours for some people)
Do not drive to or from your appointment or undertake other hazardous activities whilst your vision is still blurred from drops.
How do I book an appointment with MECS?
Please call to arrange an appointment.
Please take your glasses and a list of your current medication with you to the appointment.
Accredited MECS Practitioners
| Practice | Contact number | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Angus McPhie Opticians | 01822 612863 | 7 Market Street, Tavistock |
| Boots Opticians | 01822 612076 | 82 West Street, Tavistock |
| Iconic Opticians | 01752 415490 | 73 Cornwall Street, Plymouth |
| 01752 404544 | The Broadway, Plymstock | |
| 01822 611119 | 40 Brook Street, Tavistock | |
| For Your Eyes Only | 01548 852636 | 77 Fore Street. Kingsbridge |
| Newsome Opticians | 01752 671107 | Glanvilles Mill, Ivybridge |
| Nigel Gainey Opticians | 01752 366022 | 109 Victoria Road, St Budeaux, Plymouth |
| Noakes, Habermehl & Kerr Opticians | 01752 772116 | 2 Meavy Way, Crownhill, Plymouth |
| 01752 345269 | 62 Ridgeway, Plympton | |
| 01752 892185 | 6 Fore Street, Ivybridge | |
| Specsavers | 01822 619910 | 3 West Street, Tavistock |
| 01752 253434 | 152-154 Armada Way, Plymouth | |
| 01752 227084 | Sainsbury's, Marsh Mills, Plymouth | |
| 01752 402241 | 39-41 The Broadway, Plymouth |
| Practice | Contact number | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Keirl | 01579 346694 | The Parade, Liskeard |
| Huxter and Davy | 01503 262054 | Higher Market Street, The Quay, Looe |
| 01752 813687 | 56 Antony Road, Torpoint | |
| Noakes, Habermehl & Kerr Opticians | 01752 847477 | 101 Fore Street, Saltash |
| 01579 382345 | 49 Fore Street, Callington | |
| Specsavers | 01566 774354 | 11 Broad Street, Launceston |
| Thompsons | 01579 343348 | 4a Pike Street, Liskeard |
