Community Eyecare

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PATIENT Enquiries: 0330 100 4730

Important update: CHEC will be open as normal on 19th September, to ensure the safety of our patients

'You are our focus'

CHEC are one of the leading NHS providers of Community Ophthalmology. We believe in engaging with all of our partners to deliver excellence at the point of contact. With 1000’s of optometrists working and referring to CHEC, we are at the forefront of eyecare. We work hard to forge our relationships with the local hospitals, commissioners, GPs and optometrists to provide a patient-focused service, with many ‘one-stop’ services convenient to patients, closer to home. ​

Appointments per year

Over 0

Speed of service

0 % offered an appointment within 4 weeks

Locations

Over 0

Our Values

Making life better.

CARING – for the health of the people in our local communities, treating the patient as we would want our dearest relative. Caring for our patients/families, colleagues, and communities.

A willingness to give our best.

PASSIONATE – about what we do, providing high, quality and safe care for our patients and families. Sharing our strengths, recognising team engagement, and being willing with our time, knowledge and skills.

Celebrating what brings us together every day.

TOGETHERNESS – recognising the diversity, individuality of our patients, treating patients and ourselves with respect and dignity. One inclusive team, all different, united behind a shared vision of an inclusive culture and delivering ‘strong-patient centred services.

Being the best, we can be.

LISTENING – to our patients and team members, showing compassion, empathy, honesty, and integrity. Taking ownership, responsibility and committing to the promises we make to patients and each other.

Always striving for a better tomorrow.

FOCUS – on what we do, how we do it and what makes a difference to us all. Being accountable, believing in ourselves, and having the resilience to meet daily challenges, improve now and in the future.

Patient Services

Booking and referral management centre

Our dedicated administration team are focused on making sure they are there to help you source an appropriate appointment at an appropriate location that suits your needs. They will help with any questions you may have and come with considerable knowledge and experience.

Outpatient appointments

Ensuring patients are consulted, treated and monitored promptly is a team effort. We are all there to help resolve concerns, reassure nervous patients and act effortlessly in the patient’s interests. We don’t get it right all the time, but we are eager to learn and rectify errors.

Surgical centres

CHEC has developed state of the art surgical centres dedicated to delivering high quality, safe and effective eye care. Our main workload in these centres is cataract surgery, wAMD and laser treatments. Our results are up there with some of the best in the UK

What our patients say

Overall positive experience

97%

Satisfied with treatment received

99%

Recommend friend/family

92%

How to get in touch?

Our telephone lines are open Monday to Friday 10 am to 4 pm.  You can call, email or write a letter.

Tel : 0330 100 4730

Email : [email protected]

Post :

Community Health and Eyecare
1-6 Star Building
Oliver's Place
Fulwood
Preston
PR2 9WT

FAQs

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Cataract Surgery

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Macular Degeneration

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YAG Laser

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General ophthalmology

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FAQs

Community Eyecare want to make your experience as easy, friendly and accessible as possible. It is not uncommon for patients to have questions about the day you come in for consultation or for surgery. We hope that the questions and answers below go some way towards helping you find the answers to some of the questions before and after the visit to one of Community Eyecare Centres.

General questions

Will I have my eyes dilated on the day of consultation?

It is difficult to know and it is really up to the person undertaking the tests or consultations whether they need to dilate your eyes to complete the examination. If you do have drops, your vision will likely be blurred for 4-6 hours. We recommend that you do not drive personally and make alternative arrangements for the attendance.

How long will my appointment be?

Again, this is difficult to define. Ordinarily the appointment is 10-15 minutes, but will depend on the complexity of the condition and other emergencies that maybe arriving on the day. However, what we can say is that 98% of patients are seen within 15 minutes of their appointment time.

How do I get a follow up appointment?

You don’t have to do anything at the time of the initial appointment, unless the clinical staff feel it is urgent. Generally, if you require a follow up appointment, our helpful booking staff will call you to arrange a convenient time closer to the time of your appointment.

When can I return to routine daily activities?

If you have undergone a simple outpatient appointment and had dilated drops, depending on your job, most people can go back to daily routine if safe. If you have undergone a minor operation or laser, you should be able to go back to normal activities the next day. If you have had cataract surgery, we recommend you wait for healing to happen and this is usually 2 weeks, but please see below for more details.

Can you drive after having eye drops?

We are sure you agree, your safety and that of other people is our top priority. In fact, there is no hard and fast rules on this from DVLA. The important point is that you ensure your vision fits the driving criteria. The majority of patients have vision impaired after dilating drops and therefore we recommend you do not drive until your vision reaches the legal criteria. For more information, please visit the DVLA website Click here

What do I do if I have run out of eyedrops?

Generally, Community Eyecare will provide eyedrops that last 28 days. We do understand that eyedrops can be difficult to instil and sometimes too much is squeezed out. If you run out sooner then please contact your GP who will be able to re-prescribe.

How do I put eyedrops in my eyes?

We recognise that eyedrops are difficult to instil. Unfortunately, the bottles are manufactured to ensure the drops stay sterile and have a reasonable robust resistance to damage. Below would be a guide to how drops can be instilled. If you still have difficulty you may wish to ask your pharmacist for a dropper aid.

Questions regarding Minor Eyelid Operations

What should I bring with me?

Any eye drops and medication that you are taking, your glasses and reading material. Please wear a front fastening shirt or blouse as you will remain clothed for the operation.

What happens before my operation?

You may eat and drink a light breakfast if attending in the morning or a light lunch if attending in the afternoon before your operation and take your usual medication. You will be given a local anaesthetic injection around the eye by the doctor. This numbs the area. Local anaesthetic eye drops may also be put into your eye.

Are there any risks with this operation?

There are some risks/complications as with all surgery. Serious risks are rare, but infection, allergies, bruising, recurrence of lesions and scar formations are possible.

What happens during my operation?

A nurse will help you relax on a bed and apply anaesthetic eyedrops. The doctor will provide a small local anaesthetic injection which may sting for a few seconds, after which the area will be numb. The procedure will likely be very quick. You will likely require an eyepad for about 30 minutes to soak up any blood stained tears.

What happens when I return from theatre?

You will be given some antibiotic ointment, an eyepad applied and then discharged.

What happens when I go home?

You will be allowed home approximately after half an hour. You may have some stitches. These are dissolvable and take upto 6 weeks to dissolve. You may have a pad or bandage which can usually be removed within 2 hours of your operation. Your eye pad may be slightly blood stained: this is nothing to worry about You will be given eye ointment to be used several times a day, which will be labelled for you. This will be discussed on an individual basis. The staff will explain how to use it. It may be helpful if you get a friend or relative to help you. If, however, you have any difficulties with the ointment, please let the staff know. If you have some discomfort when the local anaesthetic wears off, take your usual pain relief tablet. Your eyelid may be swollen and bruised – this will eventually settle. If your operated eye waters, wipe it away from below the cheek – you MUST NOT rub the eye.

When can I drive again?

It is usual that you can drive the next day as long as your vision reaches the legal criteria as stated by DVLA

When can I go on holiday?

Generally, you should be able to go on holiday the next day, but please let your insurer know you have had a minor eyelid operation in any case.

Contact Us

1-6 Star Building,
Oliver’s Place,
Preston,
PR2 9WT

For General Enquiries use our secure Contact Form

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