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PRIMARY EYECARE ACUTE REFERRAL SERVICE

What is PEARS?

PEARS is a way for people who are experiencing acute eye problems (problems that have begun very recently) to get the help they need quickly and easily.

In the past, people experiencing acute eye problems would usually have to go to their GP. The GP would then refer them to a specialist eye clinic. This could be a slow process – frustrating for the patient and wasteful for the health service because often the problem would turn out to be simple to resolve, and most presentations can be managed by an accredited optometrist.

Now, with PEARS, any patient can arrange to come directly to a specialist optometrist who is involved in the scheme.

This is called ‘self-referral’ and is as simple as ringing to make an appointment.
Remember – this service is only available for people who are registered with a GP in the Herefordshire area, it is funded by Herefordshire CCG.

People can self-refer to a PEAR participating optician if they have started to experience any of the following symptoms, the only exception to this is if you are sent with paperwork from the referring GP/Nurse practitioner.

Self-referral criteria

Symptoms that have  happened in last 2 weeks

·         Foreign bodies

·         Ingrowing lashes

·         Distorted, blurred of double vision

·         Droopy eyelid

Symptoms that have happened in last 6 weeks

·         Flashing lights in the vision

·         Floating spots in the vision

Exclusion criteria

Babies/children under 2 years of age

Not registered to a GP practice in Herefordshire

Conditions that can be seen by a Pharmacists (see below)

You can see your pharmacist for the following eye conditions

  • Red eye with mild pain
  • Eye lid cysts and styes
  • Gritty , sticky or itchy or watery eyes

A pharmacist may feel it necessary to refer you  to the PEARS scheme

 If you have any of the symptoms below, you should go or be directed straight to Eye Casualty which is located at A&E in Hereford County Hospital

Symptoms you need to go to A+E for
  • Red eye with severe pain
  • You have other symptoms, including extreme or total loss of vision
  • You've recently injured or burnt your eye, particularly if something has pierced it
  • Metal foreign body in your eye
  • You have had nasty chemicals in your eye(s)

Red flags

Red flags are signs or symptoms that indicate something could be seriously wrong. If an Optician identifies a red flag, they may ring the surgery requesting a patient be seen urgently on the day or in a routine appointment and indicate how quickly.

Further information can be found online at NHS choices

How to self-refer

Below is a list of contact details and opening hours for participating optical practices. If you think you need a PEARS assessment you (the patient) should ring the optician as soon as possible direct, to book the appointment. The optician can then help to direct you to an appointment within an appropriate timescale.

 

The Herefordshire Primary Eyecare Acute Referral Scheme (PEARS)

Participating Optician Practices

 

Hereford City

Practice

Address

Telephone

BBR Optometry

Marbury House, 38 St Owen Street, Hereford. HR1 2PR

01432 265030

Boots Opticians

58 Commercial Street, Hereford HR1 2DJ

01432 272501

Specsavers Opticians

12 Maylord Street, Hereford. HR1 2DS

01432 353464

Vision Express

7 High Street, Hereford.

HR4 9AA

01432 342433

 

Bromyard

Practice

Address

Telephone

Andrew Jelley Opticians

34 High Street, HR7 4AE

01885 488259

Scrivens Opticians

10 Broad Street, HR7 4BT

01885 482492

 

Kington

Practice

Address

Telephone

Scotts Optometrists

16 High Street, HR5 3AX

01544 231330

 

Ledbury

Practice

Address

Telephone

Boots Opticians

9 The Homend, HR8 1BN

01531 635126

Millers Optometrist

27 High Street, HR8 1DS

01531 632290

Margaret Matteo Opticians

6 New Street, HR8 2DX

01531 634440

Specsavers Opticians

3, The Homend

01531633384

 

Leominster

Practice

Address

Telephone

Peter Meredith Optometrist

1 Black Swan Walk, West Street HR6 8HU

01568 616332

Specsavers Opticians

25 West Street HR6 8EP

01568 619340

Scrivens Opticians

27 West Street HR6 8EP

01568 616434

 

Ross-on-Wye

Practice

Address

Telephone

Ashton and Daniels Opticians

3 Cantilupe Court, Cantilupe Road, HR9 7AN

01989 562173

 Scotts Optometrists

16 High Street, HR5 3AX

01989 567244

Specsavers Opticians

13 Gloucester Rd, Ross On Wye. HR9 5BU

01989 564460