Community Urgent Eyecare Service (CUES) was set up in Leeds to increase access to care for urgent eye problems.

Access to CUES for patients is by Primary Eyecare Services Ltd (PES) and via telephone triage only. The telephone number for patients to call is 0300 303 4922.

This service is commissioned by Leeds ICB and is provided by local optical practices, by the Optometry Federation and Primary Eyecare Services Ltd (PES), with the support of the Local Optical Committee. CUES is for patients registered with Leeds ICB GP practices.

CUES provides urgent assessment, treatment or referral for sudden onset eye problems such as :-  

• Temporary and sudden loss of vision
• Flashes and floaters
• Minor eye injuries, pain and irritation
• Eye infections that have not responded to treatment
• Trichiasis
• Double vision (Diplopia)

This service is open to adults and children registered with a GP practice in Leeds. Children under 16 who attend the service must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Access to this service is only available by calling 0300 303 4922. Following an initial consultation, an appointment may be arranged with a clinician. If you have dry eye or red eye symptoms you may be advised to self-care or seek support from your local pharmacy first. Major eye conditions like cataracts, diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma, that are being regularly monitored by your optometrists or hospital eye service, will not be covered by this service.

Please note, this pathway is not a sight test.

What happens when you call

• Calls made to 0300 303 4922 are free of charge, Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm. For out of hours, please call 111.
• You’ll be asked some questions to make sure you are eligible to be treated under the service.
• If eligible, you’ll be offered either a remote consultation, over the phone or video call, with an eyecare professional, or a face-to-face appointment at a local optical practice.
• If not eligible, you’ll be given information about other options such as a community pharmacy, your GP practice, or an optician outside the service (there may be a charge for this).

If you are required to attend an appointment in person, please take your glasses and a list of your current medications with you to the appointment. The optometrist may put drops in your eyes to enlarge your pupils to get a better view inside your eyes. You should not drive until the effects of these drops have worn off, which may take a few hours.

Watch the video below for further information on CUES:- 

Click here to visit the CUES website and here to visit the Leeds Optical Clinic (LOC).