Sore eyes, red eyes or visual disturbance?

You can be assessed and treated by your Local Minor Eye Conditions Service. This is a free NHS service available from a number of local opticians.

What is a minor eye condition?

Conditions that can be seen under the ACES service include:

  • Red eye or eyelids
  • Dry eye, or gritty and uncomfortable eyes
  • Irritation and inflammation of the eye
  • Significant recent sticky discharge from the eye or watery eye
  • Recently occurring flashes or floaters
  • Ingrowing eyelashes
  • Recent and sudden reduced vision
  • Foreign body in the eye
  • Eye pain
  • Excessive tears

This is not a sight test.

If you have a major eye condition that is being regularly monitored by your optometrist or hospital eye service, this will not be covered by this service; for example, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma.

Where should I go?

Registered optometry practices (opticians) offering the service are listed on the back of this leaflet. An appointment will normally be required, so telephone first.

Appointments are available during normal working hours and some practices offer appointments 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.

Who is this service for?

If you are registered with a local GP in the Guildford and Waverley area, you can use this free service. It is for people of all ages, adults and children. Children under 16 years must be accompanied to their appointment with a parent/guardian.

How do I book an appointment with the service?

To make an appointment, call one of the opticians shown below. You will be asked some questions about your symptoms in order to assess how quickly you need to be seen by the service, which will be within 24 hours in urgent cases and within 2 days for routine appointments.

Please take your glasses (if you wear them) and a list of your current medication with you to the appointment. The optometrist may put drops in your eyes to enlarge your pupils in order to get a better view inside your eyes. You should not drive until the effects of these drops have worn off, which may take a few hours.

If your condition is more serious, the optometrist will book you an appointment at the hospital eye clinic. If you need a routine appointment with a hospital, the optometrist can organise this for you.

You may also be advised to make an appointment with your GP if your eye condition is related to your general health.

Participating opticians

Guildford

Specsavers Guildford

23 Friary Street
Guildford
Surrey
GU1 4EH
Telephone: 01483 452 225

Godalming

I Spy Opticians

67 High Street
Godalming
Surrey
GU7 1AW
Telephone: 01483 414168

Boots Opticians (D and A)

33 High Street
Godalming
Surrey
GU7 1AU
Telephone: 01483 425087

Chandlers Godalming

40 High Street
Godalming
Surrey
GU7 1DY
Telephone: 01483 418020

Other

Specsavers Farnham

199 Wset Treet
Farnham
Surrey
GU9 7HH
Telephone: 01252 727737

The Optical Centre

5 The Parade
Wharf Road
Ash Vale
GU12 5AZ
Telephone: 01252 314332

Specsavers Cranleigh

104 High Street
Cranleigh
Surrey
GU6 8AJ
Telephone: 01483 278200

Mathesons Optometrists Grayshott

3 Victoria Terrace
Crossways Road
Grayshott
GU26 6HF
Telephone: 01428 606069

Chandlers Haslemere

2 Charter Walk
West Street
Haslemere
GU27 2AD
Telephone: 01428 652512

Leightons Haslemere

37 Wey Hill
Haslemere
Surrey
GU 27 1BZ
Telephone: 01252 823436