Earlam and Christopher is part of Acute Community Eyecare Service for Somerset (ACES Scheme)
ACES is a service that provides free assessment for most eye conditions through your local optician and Earlam and Christopher belongs and supports this scheme.
What is Aces?
ACES is a free (NHS funded) service available to all patients registered with a Somerset GP. The service is designed for the assessment and treatment of recently occurring medical eye conditions. The service is provided by local optometrists like Earlam and Christopher who have the specialist knowledge and skills to carry out this work at locally approved opticians.
Medical eye conditions which can be treated by ACES
The service is designed for recently occurring medical eye conditions such as:
- Sudden or recent reduction in vision in one or both eyes
- Red eye(s) or eye lid
- Pain and/or discomfort in the eyes, around the eye area or temple
- Recent onset or sudden increase of flashes and/or floaters in one or both eyes
- Mild trauma, for example a scratch to the outer surface of the eye(s) or lid(s)
- Suspected foreign body in the eye
- Recent onset of double vision
- Significant recent discharge from or watering of the eye
How do I access ACES?
You can contact an approved ACES optometrist such as Earlam and Christopher directly (self-refer) and make an appointment. Ask to be seen under ACES. Appointments are available during normal working hours and you will be seen within 24 hours. Alternatively, if you make an appointment to see your GP he or she may tell you to book an appointment with an optometrist for diagnosis and treatment.
You are free to contact any of the approved optometrists. However, your normal optometrist may have chosen not to offer this service.