The Minor Eye Conditions Community Service (MECS) provides assessment and treatment for recent-onset eye issues like sore eyes, red eyes, or visual disturbances across NCL. Delivered by accredited optometrists in local practices, MECS is available to patients registered with a GP in Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey, or Islington.

MECS is not a walk-in service, patients must contact an accredited optometry practice for triage and appointments. Urgent cases are seen within 24 hours, while routine appointments are scheduled within a few days. 

Details of accredited practices can be found on the Primary Eyecare Services (PES) website. See Resources.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusions

• ocular pain
• differential diagnosis of red eye
• foreign body and emergency contact lens removal (not by the fitting practitioner)
• flashes/floaters: recent onset
• loss of vision including transient loss
• patient-reported sudden onset field defects.
• dry eye
• blepharitis
• epiphora
• trichiasis
• differential diagnosis of lumps and bumps in the vicinity of the eye

Exclusions

• patients identified to have severe eye conditions which need hospital attention e.g. orbital cellulitis, temporal arteritis
• eye problems related to herpes zoster
• adult squints, long-standing diplopia
• removal of suture
• patients requiring a sight test
• repeat field tests to aid diagnosis following an eye examination
• suspected cancers of the eye
• dry age-related macular degeneration
• patients with very minor symptoms who may be advised to self-care or pharmacy initially