This service provides free assessment for most eye conditions through your local optician
What is Aces?
ACES is a free service available to all patients registered with a Somerset GP. The service is designed for the assessment and treatment of recently occurring medical eye conditions.
The service is provided by local optometrists with the specialist knowledge and skills to carry out this work at locally approved opticians.
Please Note:
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If you have an eye condition that is being regularly monitored by your optometrist or hospital eye service, this will not be covered by ACES; for example: cataracts, glaucoma or dry eye
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The service does not replace the routine eye examination, eye tests or prescriptions for spectacles
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A sight test will not be performed as part of the assessment or treatment and you will not be issued with a prescription for spectacles
Medical eye conditions which can be treated by ACES
The service is designed for recently occurring medical eye conditions such as:
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Sudden or recent reduction in vision in one or both eyes
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Red eye(s) or eye lids
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Pain and/or discomfort in the eyes, around the eye area or temples
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Recent onset or sudden increase of flashes and/or floaters in one or both eyes
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Mild trauma, for example a scratch to the outer surface of the eye(s) or lid(s)
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Suspected foreign body in the eye
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Recent onset of double vision
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Significant recent discharge from or watering from the eye
Eye conditions which cannot be treated by ACES
If you have any of the following eye conditions you should go direct to Accident & Emergency
If you have an eye condition that is being regularly monitored by your optometrist or hospital eye service, this will not be covered by ACES; for example:
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Cataracts
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Glaucoma
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Dry eye
If you are unsure whether your symptoms qualify, please contact one of the approved optometrists who can advise you.
How do I access ACES?
You can contact an approved optometrist directly (self-refer) and make an appointment. Ask to be seen under ACES. Appointments are available during normal working hours and you will be seen within 24 hours.
Alternatively, if you make an appointment to see your GP he or she may tell you to book an appointment with an optometrist for treatment.
You are free to contact any of the approved optometrists. However, your normal optometrist may have chosen not to offer this service.
What happens when I go to the optician
When you go to the optometrist for an ACES appointment the optometrist will discuss your eye history including any symptoms you may be experiencing and any related medical history. You will receive an eye assessment relevant to your symptoms.
Please take a list of all current medications and your up-to-date spectacles with you to the appointment.
As a result of the consultation, you may be:
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Given appropriate treatment by the optometrist, this may include a follow-up appointment
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Referred to your GP for appropriate treatment if you eye condition is related to your general health
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Referred directly to the hospital eye service if your eye condition is more serious.
Following your appointment the optometrist will notify your GP about the outcome of your consultation in order to ensure your medical records are updated.
Please Note:
-
This service does not replace the routine eye examination, eye tests or prescriptions for spectacles
-
A sight test will not be performed as part of the assessment or treatment and you will not be issued with a prescription for spectacles
REMEMBER YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE AFTER YOUR ACES APPOINTMENT.
To print a list of the approved opticians click on link below:
ACES Participating Practices
Please note the hours show when ACES will be provided and not when practices will be open.
To print a copy of the ACES leaflet click on link below:
ACES Leaflet
