Community Urgent Eye Service (CUES)
What is an Urgent Eye Care Service?
Symptoms that can be seen under the service include:
• Red or painful eye or eyelids
• Recently occurring flashes or floaters
• Recent and sudden loss of vision
• Foreign body in the eye
If you have very minor symptoms you may be advised to self care or seek support
from your local pharmacy first.
Please note, this is not a sight test.
Also if you have a major eye condition that is being regularly monitored by your
optometrists or hospital eye service, this will not be covered by this service, for
example, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma.
Who is this service for?
If you are registered with local GP you can use this service. It is for people of all
ages – adults and children. Children under 16 years must be accompanied at their
appointment by an adult.
How Do I Book an Appointment With the Service?
If the service is available in your area, then you can choose and contact an optical
practice directly to make an appointment. This is called self-referral.
Find a local optometry practice that offers Community Urgent Eyecare
An appointment will normally be required, so please telephone first.
Please do not visit the optician without first booking an appointment. You will be
asked some questions about your symptoms to assess your needs. More urgent cases
will be seen within 24hrs.
If you have very minor symptoms the optometrist may advise you how to manage the
condition yourself or how to seek support from your local pharmacy.
Appointments are available during normal working hours and some practices offer
appointments in the evenings and 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