Free eye tests for service users
A NORTH EAST opticians practice is offering free eye sight tests to vulnerable members of society to help them take better care of their eyes.
Tynedale Eye Clinic, based in Byker, is giving free eye health checks as well as vision tests to service users of a housing support charity.
Norcare, which helps a range of vulnerable groups around the North East region, from domestic violence victims to those with mental health issues, has been working with Tynedale Eye Clinic to offer eye tests around the region.
The free tests will be open to any of the people the charity supports so long as they are in receipt of full benefits, and there will even be a £5 cash incentive to encourage people to have the tests.
Nikki Wheeler, contracts manager at Norcare, said: “We are really pleased to be working with Tynedale Eye Clinic to support our service users in this way. Many of them lead fairly unstable lives and health checks are not necessarily a priority.
“By offering this free service we hope that many of them will come forward and have their eyes tested, either to set their minds at rest or to help treat any problems they are not aware of.”
Patients will be checked for common eye health problems such as glaucoma. Their vision will also be tested and free glasses offered if they are needed.
Tynedale Eye Clinic is one of Concept Eye Clinics’ two practices, and will be working with Norcare to deliver the new programme as part of an effort to reach a wider cross-section of the community.
Christine Hall, practice manager, “As a small local practice we are keen to be seen as part of the community.
“We don’t want to be another faceless high street chain, instead we want to build a relationship with our clients so that they know they can turn to us with any concerns they have over the health of their eyes.”
Tynedale Eye Clinic is working hard to bring its services to a wider cross-section of the community and is collaborating with a number of charities including Norcare in order to do this.
It has a range of modified mobile equipment that allow the opticians to carry out the tests in any dark room of a sufficient size. They will visit Norcare’s properties around the region to carry out the tests in order to reach the maximum number of people possible.
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