What core optometry services are there and where are they held?
Low Visual Aids clinic – This clinic is for those who have sight loss or visual impairment. In this clinic we put together the information we have on how well you can see and recommend an action plan to help you do the activities you want or need to do and understand the difficulties you are having. We can then recommend equipment or techniques that can help overcome these difficulties, or referrals to other support services that can help further. We can also help by providing hand held magnifiers for both distance vision and near vision, as well as for tasks such as sewing/knitting and helping you see small labels in the supermarket.
We also work alongside our Eye Care Liaison Officer (ECLO) who is employed by the RNIB and works within our department to offer practical and emotional support with those who suffer from sight loss. These services are available in Bexhill Hospital, Conquest Hospital and Eastbourne DGH.
Medical Contact Lens Clinic – This clinic is where we provide specialist contact lenses for patients where it is deemed “clinically necessary” due to a patient’s eye pathology. Often this is for patients who cannot not achieve normal vision with their glasses due to corneal conditions and would otherwise require corneal transplant surgery. We also provide bandage contact lenses to help with pain in compromised eyes or cosmetic contact lenses to improve cosmesis, reduce glare or prevent double vision. Finding the optimum contact lens can take a bit of time so you can expect multiple appointments. It is an NHS funded clinic but Department of Health instructs a set charge for patients towards the cost of their contact lenses, unless they are exempt from paying for other reasons. This service is available at Conquest Hospital and Eastbourne District General Hospital.
Refraction clinic – This clinic is similar to what you would expect at your local opticians. We specialise at examining children’s eye health and checking their prescription to see if they need glasses. From newborns to toddlers and those who have more complex needs, our team are here to help ensure that every child has the best care during their ‘critical period’ of vision development before the age of 7 years old. These services are available in Bexhill Hospital, Conquest Hospital, Eastbourne District General Hospital, and occasionally Crowborough War Memorial Hospital.
Spectacle Dispensing service – Patients who have been seen in our Refraction clinics can have their glasses provided by our specialist paediatric spectacle dispensing service. We have two qualified Dispensing Opticians available to help fit the most suitable frame for your child, taking into consideration to complexity of their glasses prescription, age, face shape and any other needs. These services are available in Conquest Hospital and Eastbourne District General Hospital, with options to collect completed glasses at Bexhill Hospital too. Our direct telephone number to the dispensing service is 0300 131 4583.
The optometry team will try to offer you an appointment as close to your address as possible, however this may not always be possible and the same team work across all sites.