If you have a recent problem with your eyes – such as sore eyes, red eyes or visual disturbance – you can be assessed and treated by our local Community Eye Care Service.
This is a free NHS service available from a number of local opticians.
Participating Practices (As of December 2024)
| Practice Name | Location | Telephone Number | Opening Times |
| Boots Opticians (Lancaster) | 18-20 Market Street Lancaster LA1 1HT | 01524 844490 | Monday to Saturday: 09:00 to 17:00 Sunday: 10:00 to 16:00 |
| Welbourne Opticians Ltd (Lancaster) | 3 King Street Lancaster LA1 1JN | 01524 64151 | Monday to Friday: 09:00 to 17:30 Saturday: 09:00 to 12:30 Sunday: Closed |
| Specsavers (Lancaster) | 14-16 Cheapside Lancaster LA1 1LZ | 01524 842424 | Monday to Friday: 08:30 to 17:30 Saturday: 09:00 to 17:00 Sunday: 10:30 to 16:00 |
| Specsavers (Morecambe) | 41-43 Euston Road Morecambe LA4 5DF | 01524 405040 | Monday to Friday: 08:30 to 17:30 Saturday: 08:30 to 16:30 Sunday: 10:00 to 16:00 |
| Philip Jones Opticians Ltd (Carnforth) | 15 Market Street Carnforth LA5 9JX | 01524 730055 | Monday to Friday: 09:00 to 17:30 Saturday: 06:00 to 17:00 Sunday: Closed |
To find other optometry practices that offer this service please use the following link to find a practice Find a Practice – Search for your nearest participating optical practice
What is a Community Eye Care Service?
Conditions that can be seen under the service include:
- Red eye or eyelids
- Dry eye or gritty and uncomfortable eyes
- Irritation and inflammation of the eye
- Significant recent sticky discharge from the eye or watery eye
- Recently occurring flashes or floaters
- In growing eyelashes
- Foreign body in the eye
Please note, this is not a sight test.
If you have a major eye condition that is being regularly monitored by your optometrist or hospital eye service, this will not be covered by this service; for example, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma.
Where should I go?
Registered optometry practices (opticians) offering the service are listed above. An appointment will normally be required, so please telephone first. Appointments are available during normal working hours and some practices offer appointments at weekends. Not all practices have an optometrist available every day, but if they don’t, they will be able to find you an alternative appointment nearby.
Who is this service for?
If you are registered with a local GP you can use this free service. It is for children over the age of 2, and adults. Children between the ages 2-16 years must be accompanied at their appointment by an adult.
How do I book an appointment with the service?
To make an appointment, call one of the opticians listed above. You will be asked some questions about your symptoms in order to assess how quickly you need to be seen by the service, which will be within 24 hours in urgent cases and within a few days for routine appointments.
Please take your glasses and a list of your current medication with you to the appointment. The optometrist may put drops in your eyes to enlarge your pupils in order to get a better view of inside your eyes. You should not drive until the effects of these drops have worn off, which may take a few hours.
If your condition is more serious, the optometrist will book you an urgent appointment at a hospital eye clinic. If you need a routine appointment with a hospital, the optometrist will organise this for you.
You may also be advised to make an appointment with your GP if your eye condition is relation to your general health.
If you have any comments, compliments or complaints you can contact PALS by:
- Telephone: 01539 795497
- Email: PALS@mbht.nhs.uk
Page last reviewed: December 19th, 2024
Next review due: August 19th, 2023