Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an appointment at the EOS community glaucoma clinic?
You cannot refer yourself or book an initial appointment directly with EOS. Patients are assessed by their hospital eye clinic glaucoma team, who decide whether community monitoring is appropriate. If you are allocated to the EOS clinic at Portland Medical Practice, we will contact you with an appointment.
Why have I been offered a community glaucoma appointment?
The North East Essex Community Glaucoma Service provides monitoring closer to home for patients whose condition is considered suitable for community-based care. The aim is to improve access to routine monitoring and reduce the need for some hospital-based monitoring appointments, while maintaining oversight from the hospital glaucoma team.
Am I still under the care of my hospital eye clinic?
Yes. You remain under the care of your hospital eye clinic glaucoma team. Your community appointment does not mean you have been discharged from hospital care. You should also continue attending any other hospital eye clinic appointments arranged for you, including appointments with other ophthalmology specialists.
What should I bring to my appointment?
Please bring your appointment letter, your current spectacles and a list of any eye drops and other medications you are using. Please arrive in good time for your appointment.
Do I need to use my glaucoma eye drops before my appointment?
Yes. Please continue using your prescribed glaucoma eye drops as normal unless you have been advised otherwise by your hospital or eye-care professional.
Will I have eye drops put in my eyes during the appointment?
Yes. Anaesthetic eye drops are used when measuring your eye pressure using Goldmann applanation tonometry. These temporarily numb the surface of your eyes.
Dilating drops, which enlarge the pupils, are not routinely used at these appointments.
Can I drive after my appointment?
The anaesthetic drops used for eye pressure measurements do not normally affect your ability to drive after the appointment.
What if I am pregnant or think I may be pregnant?
Please contact us before your appointment if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. We may need to confirm with the hospital glaucoma team which investigations are appropriate for you.
What should I do if I cannot attend my appointment?
Please contact EOS as soon as possible if you need to cancel or rearrange your appointment. Giving us as much notice as possible allows the appointment to potentially be offered to another patient.
Telephone: 01206 329043 or 01376 337242.
Please quote your NHS number when calling.
Is there parking available at the clinic?
Limited parking is available outside Portland Medical Practice. Parking spaces are not marked, so please park considerately and ensure that access is not obstructed.
There is also street parking available on Ypres Road.
Please do not park in the Abbeyfield Surgery car park, as this is reserved for its own patients and visitors.
I don’t have glaucoma. Why have I been sent to the community glaucoma clinic?
You do not necessarily need to have a confirmed diagnosis of glaucoma to be offered an appointment at the community glaucoma clinic.
The service also monitors people with ocular hypertension (higher than normal pressure inside the eye), suspected glaucoma, or other conditions that may require regular assessment.
Your hospital eye clinic glaucoma team has reviewed your clinical information and decided that community-based monitoring is appropriate for you.
Being offered an appointment does not necessarily mean that you have glaucoma. The purpose of monitoring is to assess your eyes over time and identify any changes that may need further investigation or treatment.