The Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS) treats non-emergency conditions which do not necessarily need hospital assessment, at specialist optometry practices in the community. You can find out more about this service and how to contact the optometry practices that provide it here.
What is a Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS)?
The MEC service treats non-emergency conditions which do not necessarily need specialist hospital examinations, in convenient locations for the patient, and is carried out by specially trained Optometrists. You may contact the participating Optometry Practice of your choice and they will offer you their earliest MEC appointment, which will be within a week of you contacting them or they will direct you to another participating Practice.
Conditions that can be seen under within the service include:
- Acute* Red Eyes
- Acute* Irritated or Inflamed Eyes
- Sticky Discharge or Acute* Watery Eyes
- In-growing Eyelashes
- Foreign bodies in the Eye – urgent conditions will be redirected to A&E if treatment is required in under 24 hours
- Recently occurring flashes or floaters.
*An acute condition is one with a sudden onset. If you have had the condition for many weeks and months it is called a chronic condition and you should discuss this with your regular Optometrist or GP, in the first instance.
Please note this is not a standard sight test.
Children under 16 years of age will not be seen in the MEC service and should be seen by your GP.
Where should I go?
You will need to contact one of the accredited optometry practices (opticians) offering the MEC service to make an appointment – be sure to mention that you want an appointment with the MEC service rather than just regular sight examination.
Appointments are available during normal working hours with some practices also offering appointments at weekends.
Not all the registered practices have an optometrist available every day. If they don’t have appointments within a week they will be able to guide you to another nearby accredited optometry practice.
How do I book an appointment with the service?
To make an appointment, call one of the opticians listed below.
| Provider name | Address | Telephone number |
|---|---|---|
| Provider name A & I Lask (Cambridge) | Address 42 Chesterton Road, Cambridge, CB4 1EN | Telephone number 01223 357303 |
| Provider name Adlam & Coomber Optometrists | Address 14 Brook Street, St Neots, Cambs, PE19 2BP | Telephone number 01480 472051 |
| Provider name Gathercole & Ward (Huntingdon) |
Address
Gathercole & Ward, 36 High Street, Huntingdon, Cambs, PE29 3AQ |
Telephone number 01480 453208 |
| Provider name Gathercole & Ward (Ramsey) | Address 102 High Street, Huntingdon, Cambs, PE26 1BS | Telephone number 01487 812358 |
| Provider name Krog & Whitehead Optometrists |
Address
2 Blunts Lane, Whittlesey, Peterborough, Cambs, PE7 1AH |
Telephone number 01733 205466 |
| Provider name Sask Optics (Peterborough) | Address 293 Lincoln Road, Peterborough, PE1 2PH | Telephone number 01733 563845 |
| Provider name Specsavers | Address 13 Fitzroy St, Cambridge, CB1 1ER | Telephone number 01223 305241 |
| Provider name Specsavers | Address 1 The Guineas, Newmarket, Suffolk | Telephone number 01638 565270 |
| Provider name Specsavers (Lion Yard) | Address 30 Lion Yard Shopping Centre, Cambridge, CB2 3NB | Telephone number 01223 366805 |
| Provider name Specsavers (Serpentine Green) |
Address
Unit 16, The Serpentine, Serpentine Green, Peterborough, Cambs, PE7 8BE |
Telephone number 01733 311695 |
| Provider name Specsavers Huntingdon | Address 128 High Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3NE | Telephone number 01480 457800 |
| Provider name Specsavers March Ltd | Address 3-5 Broad Street, March, PE15 8TP | Telephone number 01354 607120 |
| Provider name Specsavers Opticians Ely | Address 45 High St Ely CB7 4LF | Telephone number 01353 653120 |
| Provider name Specsavers Opticians St Neots |
Address
13 High Street, St Neots, Cambridgeshire, PE19 1BU |
Telephone number 01480 210820 |
| Provider name Specsavers Peterborough | Address 53, Bridge Street, Peterborough, Cambs, PE1 1HA | Telephone number 01733 348822 |
| Provider name Specsavers Royston | Address 27 High Street Royston SG8 9AA | Telephone number 01763 248161 |
| Provider name Westgate Optical | Address 10 Westgate, Peterborough, PE1 1RA | Telephone number 01733 342464 |
You will be asked some questions about your problem and symptoms when you contact the practice to assess whether the condition is suitable for the MEC service or is more urgent in nature. You will be seen within one week if a MEC appointment is suitable. Please take your glasses and a list of your current medication with you to the appointment. The optometrist may need to put drops into your eyes to enlarge your pupils and get a better view inside your eyes. You should not drive until these drops have worn off, which may take a few hours.
If your condition is found to be more serious after examination, you will need to be seen within the hospital, and you will be referred either as a routine or emergency, dependent on the condition. You may also be advised to make an appointment with your GP if your eye condition is related to your general health.
If you are not entitled to free NHS prescriptions, you may be charged for any medication you require. Please discuss your options with the Optometrist.
Concerned about this service?
If you feel dissatisfied with this service and wish to make a complaint please contact:
Primary Eyecare (Cambridgeshire) Ltd
42 Chesterton Road
Cambridge
CB4 1EN
Telephone: 03303 033334