Opticians’ services resume

Opticians are now able to offer routine eye examinations thanks to the further easing of lockdown.

Optometrists were restricted to providing only emergency and essential care during the Covid- 19 restrictions, but following approval from the Scottish Government Primary Care Directorate, they can now offer more routine care.

Specsavers said this week that will now offer the full breadth of optical and audiology services, including routine eye and hearing tests, contact lens consultations, frame repairs and the sale of glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids and other products.

Specsavers’ home visits teams will also be able to restart services within the next two weeks and provide eye care and hearing services at home for people who would not be able to visit a store without assistance.

Other providers, including Boots and Optical Express, have also returned to normal service.

Specsavers’ Scottish chair, Susanne Akil, said: “With lockdown measures easing, we’ve now extended our services in line with the latest Scottish Government guidelines. This means that, for the first time since lockdown, customers are able to book routine eye and hearing tests. To help manage physical distancing and ensure that services are provided safely, visits to store will be by appointment only - customers can book an appointment in advance by phone or online. Stores may contact customers before they visit to ensure a safe and efficient service when they arrive. We would encourage anyone visiting the store to browse online for glasses before they come in, minimising their time in store, and we ask that customers wear face masks for the duration of their visit. New hygiene and personal protection measures include restrictions on the number of customers allowed in store at any one time, strict physical distancing.”