Community Eye Service
Within the first seven years 8% of children will have impaired vision from errors of refraction (longsight, shortsight and astigmatism) and 3-5% will have an established squint. Some of these defects can be a severe brake on the child’s social and educational development. Early detection and subsequent treatment of defects is very important.
Adults may present with a wide range of visual problems for different reasons.
We are community-based working from the health centres and sessions are also held at Fairfield General Hospital aiming to improve the quality of life for people of all ages by assessing, diagnosing, treating and preventing visual problems.
Who is eligible to access our service?
Anyone living within the area and registered with a Bury GP with the following:
Babies
- Suspected poor visual responses
- Squint
- Ptosis (drooping lid)
These babies may be seen first by the orthoptist on the ward, at the Child Development Centre or at a Health Centre.
Children
- Squint
- Varying degrees of reduced visual responses
- Amblyopia (lazy eye)
- Mild, moderate or severe learning difficulties both children and adults
- Physical disabilities
- Dyslexia/specific learning difficulties
- Reduced convergence and focussing giving rise to symptoms of headaches or blurred vision
Between the ages of four and five, children in Bury will be screened by the orthoptist in reception class in school to ensure that their eyes are functioning normally. Any child not seen in school will be offered an appointment to attend the nearest orthoptic clinic.
The Community Eye Service also works closely with Visual Impairment Support Teachers holding joint sessions for assessment and low vision aid provision.
Adults
- Double vision and squint, maybe as a result of hypertension, stroke, diabetes, thyroid disorders, trauma and other mechanical and neurological causes.
- Specialist stroke service
- Visual field testing.
- Glaucoma screening and monitoring
- Reduced convergence and focussing causing difficulties with close work
- Low Vision Aid assessment and provision
How to access our service
We assess and treat adults and children of all ages from new born onwards and have an open access policy accepting appropriate referrals from any health professional also we will accept appropriate self referral.
The Community Eye Service works closely with staff from Education, Pennine Acute Trust, Social services, High St Optometrists and the Bury blind society to ensure seamless and appropriate care in the community.
How to contact us
Townside Primary Care Centre
T: 0161 762 1690
Fairfield General Hospital Out-patient Department
T: 0161 778 2857
Opening hours
Monday to Friday
9am - 5pm