Some optometrists (including Marc Drake and Hannah Jones who work here at Osmond Drake Opticians) have done an extra qualification, known as the Independent Prescriber Course, which allows them to prescribe medications for eye problems. This means that we can treat some issues in practice that used to have to be treated in the hospital.
Independent Prescribers (IP) can accept referrals from other opticians, but you must be seen by your usual optician first so that they can diagnose the problem and refer you on to an IP-qualified optometrist.
You could have an acute eye issues may cause symptoms like:
- Sudden blurred / loss of vision
- Sudden onset flashing lights in your vision
- Sudden onset floaters in your vision
- Sudden onset intense headache
- Eye pain
- Red eye
- Halos around lights
- Other sudden changes to your eyes / vision that cause concern.
Contact your usual Optometrist Practice for advice. They will offer you an Eye Health Examination Wales (EHEW) or arrange for an EHEW at another practice nearby.
You can also be referred for EHEW by your GP or other health professional such as practice nurse or pharmacist.
At the EHEW your eyes will be examined and your optometrist will decide if they can treat your symptoms themselves, or if you need to be referred on to either an IP-qualified optometrist or to the hospital.
The IPOS practice on the rota will try to see the patient promptly.
Further information on EHEW can be found at http://www.eyecare.wales.nhs.uk/ehew
This includes a search function to find your nearest practice. http://www.eyecare.wales.nhs.uk/search-for-services-in-your-area
There are currently 19 in The Vale of Glamorgan, 42 in Cardiff, and around 340 in Wales as a whole.
You must be resident in Cardiff & Vale to access IPOS.