The COVID-19 Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES service) is available as an alternative option to presenting at Accident & Emergency for the diagnosis and treatment of urgent and minor eye conditions. CUES can be accessed on a self-referral basis or alternatively, your GP / Practice Nurse/ Pharmacist/ Local Hospital minor injury unit may refer you to CUES / MECS if appropriate.
The idea is to allow Eye Consultants to deal with eye conditions which require urgent eyecare, so patients don’t have to visit their doctors, or in some cases, the hospital. Patients of all ages adults and children are able to receive free eyecare just as they would from their GP at Chase Eyecare, and they are able to access the service for a range of eye conditions.
Examples of some eye conditions which can be treated via CUES include:
• Red or painful eyes or eyelids
• Recently occurring flashes or floaters
• Dry eyes, gritty and uncomfortable eyes
• Irritation and inflammation of the eye
• Significant recent sticky discharge from the eye or watery eye
• Recently occurring or sudden increase of flashes and floaters
• Painful eye
• In-growing eyelashes
• Recent and sudden loss or reduced vision
• Foreign body (Something) in your eye
Please note this is not an eyesight test.
You should go to A&E if you have…
Urgent Eyecare Service is most certainly an alternative to A&E, where we know some patients currently go. There are some circumstances, however, when only A&E will do:
• Considerable eye pain
• Significant trauma such as penetrating injury or lacerations to the eye or eyelid
• Chemical injury or burns
• Problems arising from recent eye surgery
Make an appointment over the phone
You will be contacted by a clinician to discuss your symptoms further either via phone or video call to assess how quickly you need to be seen.
If require a face-to-face appointment, the clinician may put drops in your eyes to enlarge your pupils in order to get a better view inside your eyes. You should not drive until the effects of these drops have worn off, which may take a few hours.
If your condition is more serious, we will book you an urgent appointment at a hospital eye clinic. If you need a routine appointment with a hospital, we will organize this for you. You may also be advised to make an appointment with your GP if your eye condition is in relation to your general health.
What should I take with me? If you can please bring
- A list of your current medication
- If you wear glasses, please take them with you
What to do next
Simply call our practice to book an emergency appointment. If you are unsure if this is the right place for what you need, please feel free to ask our staff, who will be happy to advise.
