Professional Eyecare Hub
Access information on IOP, OHT, ACES and services for visually impaired patients
Guidance and tools for making and managing patient referrals
Find out information about local sight loss support services
Stay up to date with bulletins and announcements
Find out about upcoming training sessions, meetings and events
Explore current opportunities within the local optical sector
Information on how to access language and translation services
Clinical Services
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What is ACES?
A same/next-day community eye care service for acute eye problems, designed to:
Manage urgent conditions in practice
Reduce unnecessary hospital referrals
Support GPs with specialist assessment
Who is it for?
Eligible patients:
Registered with a Somerset (or eligible Devon) GP presenting with recent (usually ≤7 days) acute symptoms
Access
Self-referral or GP referral
If you can’t see them → redirect to another ACES provider
What must you do?
Core assessment (ALL patients):
History & symptoms
Visual acuity
Slit lamp exam
Pupil reactions
Record everything on Pharma
Additional tests (as needed):
IOP
Dilated fundus exam (Volk)
Visual fields
Amsler
Motility / binocular vision
Key Clinical Scenarios
Flashes & Floaters
Dilated binocular fundus exam (Volk)
Document: PVD / Weiss ring, “Tobacco dust” & check IOP
Red Eye
Full anterior segment exam
Use fluorescein staining
Differentiate: Bacterial / viral / allergic
Scleritis / episcleritis
Foreign Body
Lid eversion (incl. double if needed)
Record removal method (e.g. needle, burr)
Suspected Acute Glaucoma
Check IOP + anterior chamber depth
Look for corneal oedema / iris bombe
Equipment Required
Slit lamp
Tonometer
Visual fields analyser
Volk lens
Diagnostic drugs (drops, stains)
Foreign body removal tools
Accreditation & Training
Must complete ICB-approved training
Includes:
Acute eye conditions
Differential diagnosis
Volk skills + FB removal
Re-accredit every 3 years
Annual peer review required
Your Responsibilities
Complete Pharma record (mandatory for payment)
Obtain patient consent
Send records: GP (within 24h or immediately if Rx needed)
Provide patient advice + leaflets
Participate in audit & governance
Important Rules
No GOS sight test at same visit
No payment for DNAs
Not for chronic conditions
Must follow infection control + governance standards
Why ACES Matters
~2 million people affected by sight loss in the UK
Demand rising significantly
ACES:
Improves access to urgent care
Keeps patients out of hospital
Uses optometrist expertise effectively
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What is this service?
A community-based pathway to repeat and refine intra-ocular pressure (IOP) measurements to:
Reduce unnecessary hospital referrals
Improve glaucoma detection accuracy
Provide faster patient care locally
Who is it for?
Adults 18+ registered with a Somerset GP with:
Mean IOP ≥ 24 mmHg (NCT)
Not suitable for:
IOP <24 mmHg
IOP ≥32 mmHg (bypass service → refer)
Known glaucoma patients under HES
Suspicious optic discs or visual fields
What does the service involve?
Repeat IOP measurement using Goldmann Applanation Tonometry (GAT)
Conducted by accredited practitioners in community practice
Findings recorded on Pharma
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What is this service?
A community monitoring pathway for patients with ocular hypertension (OHT) who have been:
Diagnosed in Hospital Eye Services (HES) and discharged to community care with a management plan
Who is it for?
Eligible patients:
Adults registered with a Somerset GP diagnosed OHT with:
IOP ≥24 mmHg
No glaucomatous optic disc changes
Normal visual fields
Typically on treatment and at risk of visual impairment
Exceptions:
Some untreated OHT patients (if HES specifies)
Legacy patients (pre-2017 criteria)
Exclusions:
Diagnosed glaucoma
OHT patients not at risk of vision loss
Symptomatic patients needing other pathways
What do you do at each visit?
Core clinical tests:
Visual acuity
Goldmann Applanation Tonometry (GAT)
Van Herick’s
Slit lamp + disc assessment (with dilation)
Visual fields (24-2 or equivalent)
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Low vision assessments in Somerset are provided by the Somerset Sight. For more information see the following documents.
Somerset Sight: Can we help booklet
See also our support for sight loss section
Referrals & Local Protocols
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IF YOU THINK A PATIENT IS HAVING SYMPTOMS OF AN ACTIVE STROKE SEND TO A&E
Yeovil Hospital
Email: tia.strokeservices@ydh.nhs.uk
Clinical advice: 01935 606826
To confirm receipt of email: 01935 384344
Musgrove Park Hospital
Email: TIAreferrals@somersetft.nhs.uk
For clinical advice call: 07795013158 (between 9 and 5)
To confirm receipt of email: 01823 343438 or 01823 343661
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Following a recent audit on the AMD service at MPH. The Ophthalmology department would be grateful if optometrists used the national recognised wet AMD form for referral of suspected wet AMD patients.
Download Wet AMD referral form
The Audit found only 40% of patients with suspected wet AMD were referred using the wet AMD form. It is also important to send suspected wet AMD referrals direct to HES and not via GP to avoid unnecessary delays. The form has been slightly amended here as the audit also highlighted that the date of exam and duration of symptoms would be helpful when filling out the form. This would help get patients triaged most effectively.
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Low vision assessments in Somerset are provided by the Somerset Sight. For more information see the following documents.
Support for Sight Loss
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Services include the provision of low vision aids, equipment to help with problems of daily living, rehabilitation training to improve independent living skills and mobility skills, and information and advice on specialist services, employment issues, talking book services, special computer software, leisure activities and holidays.
An information leaflet is available which lists the organisations providing help, and the services that are available to adults and children with a sight loss.
To download a copy of the leaflet, go to: www.somersetsight.org.uk
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Eye Clinic Liaison Officers are able to offer support, advice and information for anyone affected by sight loss. This can be immediately after diagnosis of an eye condition or at a later date or time to suit the person. ECLOs also provide support for ongoing eye conditions.
They are able to identify which services can best meet the individual needs of the person, for
example, they can provide advice on a range of matters including:
Living with sight loss and remaining independent
Details on latest aids and equipment
Benefits on concessions the person could be entitled to
Education, employment, housing and leisure
Eye conditions and treatment information
Emotional support
The advantages of certification and registration
An important part of their role is to inform people about the impact of sight loss and its effect on independence. ECLOs can offer visual awareness training to staff and advise them how the hospital environment can impact on people living with a visual impairment, as well as offering support to staff working with people who have a visual impairment.
If you have any queries re the above or would like further information please call Ceri Hudson, Eye Clinic Liaison Officer at Musgrove Park Hospital on 01823 344 155/07834 395 317 or Lesley Beevor, Eye Clinic Liaison Officer at Yeovil District Hospital on 07712 232 698.
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Action for Blind People
14-16 Verney Road, London SE16 3DZ
Tel: 020 7635 4800
Website: www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk
AgeUK
Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9NA
Tel: 0800 1698787 or 0800 1696565.
Website: www.ageuk.org.uk
Association of Blind Asians
Room 16, Zenith House, 210 Church Road, Leyton E10 7JQ
Tel: 020 8558 6972
British Retinitis Pigmentosa Society
PO Box 350, Buckingham MK18 1GZ
Tel: 01280 860363 or 0845 123 354
Email: info@brps.org.uk
Website: www.brps.org.uk
Deafblind UK
National Centre for Deafblindness,
John & Lucille Van Geest Place, Cygnet Road, Hampton, Peterborough PE7 8FD
Tel: 01733 358100
Email: info@deafblind.org.uk
Website: www.deafblind.org.uk
Diabetes UK
10 Parkway, London NW1 7AA
Tel: 020 7424 1000
Email: info@diabetes.org.uk
Website: www.diabetes.org.uk
The International Glaucoma Association
15A Highpoint Business Village, Henwood, Ashford, Kent TN24 8DH
Tel 01233 648170
Email info@iga.org.uk
Website www.glaucoma-association.com
The Macular Disease Society
Darwin House, 13a Bridge St, Andover, Hampshire SP10 1BE
Tel: 01264 350551
Helpline: 0845 2412041
Email: info@maculardisease.org
Website: www.maculardisease.org.uk
Nystagmus Network (UK and Worldwide)
13 Tinsley Close, Claypole, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG23 5BS
Tel: 01636 627004 or 0845 634 2630
Email: info@nystagmusnet.org
Website: www.nystagmusnet.org
Organisation of Blind Afro-Caribbean’s
1st Floor, Gloucester House, 8, Camberwell New Road, London SE5 0RZ
Tel: 020 7735 3400
Email: info@obac.org.uk
Website: www.obac.org.uk
Partially Sighted Society
Queen’s Road, Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN1 2NX
Tel: 01302 323132
Email: doncaster@partsight.org.uk
Royal National Institute for the Blind
Customer Services Centre, PO Box 173, Peterborough, PE2 6WS
Tel: 0845 702 3153 (cost of local call)
Email: helpline@rnib.org.uk
Website: www.rnib.org.uk
Sense (National Association for Deaf-blind and Rubella Handicapped)
101 Pentonville Road, London N1 9LG
Tel: 0845 127 0060
Textphone: 0845 127 0062
Email: info@sense.org.uk
Website: www.sense.org.uk
Vision Support
Units 1 & 2, The Ropeworks, Whipcord Lane, Chester CH1 4DZ
Tel: 01244 381515
Website: www.visionsupport.org.uk
Interpretation and translation services
Interpretation and translation services are available for Pharmacy, Optometry and Dental Practices when treating NHS Patients. If you have any queries or issues, please contact NHS England South West by emailing england.swgptp@nhs.net
Please click here to access the interpretation and language page on the NHS website.