Community Eye Care Service

If you have a recent problem with your eyes – such as sore eyes, red eyes or visual disturbance – you can be assessed and treated by our local Community Eye Care Service.

This is a free NHS service available from a number of local opticians.

Participating Practices (As of September 2016)

Practice NameLocationTelephone Number
Ambleside Opticians
Ltd
Ambleside015394 46381
Specsavers OpticiansBarrow-in-Furness01229 836836
Richard Haynes OpticiansBarrow-in-Furness01229 812654
Philip Jones OpticiansCarnforth01524 730055
Butterfield OpticiansCarnforth01524 732724
Vera Wilton OptometristsDalton-in-Furness01229 463169
Lakeland OpticalGrange-over-Sands015395 32951
Bagot OpticiansGrange-over-Sands015395 33909
Bagot OpticiansKendal01539 721619
Spurrett OptometryKendal01539 720815
Specsavers OpticiansKendal01539 734777
Collinge OpticiansKirkby Lonsdale015242 72944
Welbourne Opticians Ltd.Lancaster01524 64151
Specsavers LancasterLancaster01524 842424
Boots OpticiansLancaster01524 844490
L M BaverstockMilnthorpe015395 62633
SpecsaversMorecambe01524 405040
Moon and Coxhill
(Torrisholme) Ltd
Morecambe01524 418822
Bagot OpticiansPenrith01768 864641
Eyecare ExcellenceUlverston01229 587050
Bagot OpticiansWindermere015394 46381

What is a Community Eye Care Service?

Conditions that can be seen under the service include:

  • Red eye or eyelids
  • Dry eye or gritty and uncomfortable eyes
  • Irritation and inflammation of the eye
  • Significant recent sticky discharge from the eye or watery eye
  • Recently occurring flashes or floaters
  • In growing eyelashes
  • Foreign body in the eye

Please note, this is not a sight test.

If you have a major eye condition that is being regularly monitored by your optometrist or hospital eye service, this will not be covered by this service; for example, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma.

Where should I go?

Registered optometry practices (opticians) offering the service are listed above. An appointment will normally be required, so please telephone first. Appointments are available during normal working hours and some practices offer appointments at weekends. Not all practices have an optometrist available every day, but if they don’t, they will be able to find you an alternative appointment nearby.

Who is this service for?

If you are registered with a local GP you can use this free service. It is for children over the age of 2, and adults. Children between the ages 2-16 years must be accompanied at their appointment by an adult.

How do I book an appointment with the service?

To make an appointment, call one of the opticians listed above. You will be asked some questions about your symptoms in order to assess how quickly you need to be seen by the service, which will be within 24 hours in urgent cases and within a few days for routine appointments.

Please take your glasses and a list of your current medication with you to the appointment. The optometrist may put drops in your eyes to enlarge your pupils in order to get a better view of 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, the optometrist will book you an urgent appointment at a hospital eye clinic. If you need a routine appointment with a hospital, the optometrist will organise this for you.

You may also be advised to make an appointment with your GP if your eye condition is relation to your general health.

If you have any comments, compliments or complaints you can contact PALS by:

Page last reviewed: November 7th, 2023
Next review due: August 19th, 2023