Minor Eye Care Service (MECS)
Date issued: October 2021
Ref: Ref: A-387/NM/REI/The minor eye care service MECS v2
PDF: Minor Eye Care Service [pdf] 189KB
Introduction
The service provides urgent eye assessments for patients complaining of recent minor eye conditions.
What conditions may be seen by MECS ?
- Red eye or eyelids with no reduced vision
- 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.
- Ingrowing eyelashes- if recurrent problem then referral may be required and not a MECS appointment. Please speak to your own optician for advice BEFORE booking a MECS appointment
- Mild eye pain (on a scale of 1-5): 1-3 improving with painkillers
- Irritation and inflammation of the eye
- Superficial Foreign body in the eye
- Significant recent sticky discharge from the eye or watery eye
- Recent flashes or floaters less than 3 months with no loss of vision and / or no obstruction across vision
- Recent loss or distortion of vision more than 48 hours and less than 3 months with no pain
What assessments will the MECS practitioners make?
They will:
- Take a history of present problem, any past eye and medical history, medications, allergies and family history of eye disease.
- Assess the vision and examine the eyes.
They may also use drops to enlarge the pupils. These may affect the vision for a few hours (possibly up to 6 hours for some people).
DO NOT DRIVE TO THE APPOINTMENT or undertake other hazardous activities whilst 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
Angus McPhie Optometrists |
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 |
|
For Your Eyes Only |
01548 852636 |
77 Fore Street, Kingsbridge |
Newsome Opticians |
01752 671107 |
Glanvilles Mill, Ivybridge |
Noakes, Habermehl and Kerr |
01752 772116 |
2 Meavy Way, Crownhill |
01752 345269 |
62 Ridgeway, Plympton |
|
01752 892185 |
6 Fore Street, Ivybridge |
|
Specsavers |
01822 619910 |
3 West Street, Tavistock |
Specsavers |
01752 253434 |
152-154 Armada Way, Plymouth |
Specsavers |
01752 402241 |
39-41 The Broadway, Plymstock |
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 and Kerr |
01752 847477 |
101 Fore Street, Saltash |
01579 382345 |
49 Fore Street, Callington |
|
Specsavers |
01752 850120 |
27-29 Lower Fore Street, Saltash |
Specsavers |
01566 774354 |
11 Broad Street, Launceston |
Thompsons |
01579 343348 |
4a Pike Street, Liskeard |