Multiple expands domiciliary care in Scotland

Optical Express has expanded its domiciliary services in Scotland to provide eye examinations for patients with complex needs and low vision in their own homes.

The multiple already offers the service free of charge to patients who cannot attend the opticians due to disability or poor health, and claims that the extension makes it the first eye care provider to offer the service for specialist support in Scotland.

Home care manager at Optical Express, Áine Scott, said: “Optical Express is extremely pleased to be offering low and functional vision assessments to patients in their own homes. By making these tests more accessible we hope to speed up treatment and improve vulnerable patients’ quality of life.”

The chain’s home care services are available throughout Central Scotland, Ayrshire and Arran, and Tayside. It is currently seeking approval to extend the scheme across NHS Grampian and NHS Dumfries and Galloway.

Ms Scott added: “Many patients with complex needs are slipping through the net because they are classed as visually impaired without any real understanding of the extent of their remaining functional vision and how it can be best supported.

“While help is available for patients with low vision, it often involves waiting for a hospital appointment in order to be referred to a specialist clinic, so it could be quite some time before a patient can be assessed for a low vision aid.

“Everybody should have the opportunity to improve their sight.”