Eye care centres open in lockdown

NHS Lanarkshire has established 12 specialised treatment centres to ensure patients can receive emergency eye care during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The bases are located in different localities across Lanarkshire.

All routine eye care has currently been suspended, with the exception of emergency dispensing of glasses.

Frank Munro, optometrist and optometric advisor for NHS Lanarkshire, said:“all optometrists in practices will be available to take phone queries and may be able to treat or manage you depending on how well you describe your symptoms.

“You can also send the optometrist digital images of your eyes from your mobile phone to help them to make a diagnosis.

“If the optometrist thinks you need a fact-to-face consultation, you will attend one of the 12 emergency eye treatment centres that we have established across Lanarkshire.”

The emergency eye care treatment centres are located in: Airdrie, Bellshill, Biggar, Bothwell, Coatbridge, Cumbernauld, East Kilbride, Lanark, Lesmahagow, Rutherglen, Stonehouse andviewpark.

You can self-present to these centres. However, most attendances will be through a referral from a GP, pharmacist or the patient’s own optometrist.

Mr Munro added:“prior to attending one of the centres, you may receive a phone call to ask for your history and symptoms.

“The centres are designed with social distancing in mind, with only one patient allowed.”