The Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS) in Tower Hamlets has been in place since the end of January .Patients can access MECS through self-referral, GP referral or re-direction from another service. The inclusion and exclusion criteria for MECS is attached for your convenience.

MECS is not a walk in service, and patients are advised to call the MECS Opticians to make an appointment. Patients will be seen within 48 hours for routine cases and within 24 hours for urgent cases.

Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS) Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
This service provides for the assessment and management of patients (adults and children) presenting with any of the following minor eye conditions:

  • Loss of vision including transient loss – [consider differential diagnosis (TIA, Temporal Arteritis)]
  • Ocular pain
  • Differential diagnosis of red eye
  • Foreign body and emergency contact lens removal (not by the fitting practitioner)
  • Dry eye
  • Epiphora (watery eye)
  • Trichiasis (in growing eyelashes)
  • Differential diagnosis of lumps and bumps in the vicinity of the eye
  • Recent onset of diplopia –[consider stroke; binocular diplopia always significant]
  • Flashes/floaters
  • Retinal lesions
  • Field defects

Exclusions to MECs referral
The following conditions require the patient to attend a hospital ophthalmic department, eye casualty or A&E:

  • Severe ocular pain requiring immediate attention
  • Severe infection
  • Suspected retinal detachment
  • Retinal artery occlusion
  • Chemical injuries
  • Penetrating trauma
  • Orbital cellulitis
  • Temporal arteritis
  • Ischaemic optic neuropathy
  • Binocular double vision

Conditions excluded from the service:

  • The treatment of long term chronic conditions is not included within the service:
  • Diabetic retinopathy
  • Long standing adult squints
  • Long standing diplopia
  • Referral refinement for Glaucoma and Cataracts
  • Simple conjunctivitis
  • Sub conjuctival haemorrhage (unless caused by injury)
  • Styes (unless long-standing, which should be referred to HES)
  • Epsiscleritis (scleritis should be excluded)

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