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Emergency Eyecare · CUES & MECS

Sudden eye problem? Call your local practice.

We offer prompt clinical assessment for sudden or recent eye symptoms. Depending on your NHS area, this may be known as CUES, MECS, the Community Urgent Eyecare Service or the Minor Eye Conditions Service.

Find Your Nearest Practice

If something suddenly changes with your eyes, it can be difficult to know where to turn. If you are unsure what to do, call your nearest STOTTS. practice and our team will guide you on the safest next step.

We can help assess

Call your local practice if you have…

Our team will advise whether your symptoms are suitable for emergency eyecare, CUES, MECS or another appropriate appointment.

Red, sore or painful eyesSudden flashes or new floatersRecent blurred vision or changes in sightSticky, watery or irritated eyesLight sensitivityA foreign body sensationA minor eye injury or scratchIngrowing eyelashesSwollen eyelidsDry, gritty or uncomfortable eyes

Urgent — when to go to A&E

Some symptoms need urgent hospital care.

Go to A&E immediately, or call NHS 111 for urgent advice, if you experience:

  • Sudden loss of vision
  • A curtain, shadow or veil across your vision
  • Severe eye pain
  • A serious or penetrating eye injury
  • A chemical injury to the eye
  • An object stuck in the eye
  • Sudden double vision — especially with headache, weakness, facial drooping, confusion or difficulty speaking
  • Eye symptoms after recent eye surgery

If you are unsure, call your nearest STOTTS. practice and we will help advise you on the safest next step.

The NHS community service

What are CUES and MECS?

CUES

Community Urgent Eyecare Service

MECS

Minor Eye Conditions Service

Both names are used for NHS-funded community eyecare services that let suitable patients with sudden or recent eye problems be assessed by an accredited optometrist. This can often be more appropriate than waiting for a routine eye test, contacting your GP, or attending hospital unnecessarily.

If specialist hospital care is needed, we will advise you clearly and refer you appropriately.

Your appointment

What happens at your appointment?

Your appointment is focused on understanding what has changed and what needs to happen next. We may assess:

Your symptoms and when they started
Your vision
The front and back of the eye
Eye pressure where appropriate
Signs of inflammation, infection or injury
The retina if flashes, floaters or vision changes are present

We explain what we find clearly and advise on the next step — whether that is treatment, monitoring, referral or urgent hospital care.

Across Greater Manchester & Lancashire

Emergency eyecare at a practice near you.

Emergency eyecare, CUES and MECS support is available at all six STOTTS. practices.

Unsworth Greater Manchester Call Unsworth → Swinton Greater Manchester Call Swinton → Urmston Greater Manchester Call Urmston → Chorley Lancashire Call Chorley → Burnley Lancashire Call Burnley → Padiham Lancashire Call Padiham →

A sudden or recent eye problem? Call us.

Our team will help you understand whether you need emergency eyecare, a routine appointment, pharmacy advice, NHS 111, or urgent hospital care.

Find Your Local Practice