Will Opticians Be Open During the Second Lockdown?

The health of the population continues to be a high priority, including eye health. It’s vital that if you require urgent or essential care during this time, that you seek help from your optician or GP.

The College of Optometrists has advised that all practices should remain open in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the AOI reports practices remain open in Ireland.

Can you visit your optician during the second lockdown?

Your local optician will remain open, unless in extenuating circumstances such as staff needing to self-isolate. If you are due an eye examination, you can visit your optician to undergo routine tests. Likewise, if you need urgent care or have an emergency, your optician will be available during the second lockdown. 

If you have a severe eye condition that may require hospital treatment, your optician may direct you straight there instead of coming to the practice.

However, it is essential to remember that you should contact your optician before visiting. This can help your optician manage the number of people in practice, and allow for social distancing and hygiene measures. The safety and health of both the patients and the staff are a priority, as they always have been.

You may wish to contact your optician to confirm your appointment, as this provides a final opportunity to verify that you are well enough to attend.

Your optician and other staff within the practice will be wearing the appropriate PPE, and in some cases, you may also be asked to wear PPE, such as a face covering. This can be incredibly helpful for instances where social distancing is challenging to maintain.

If you have any concerns about visiting your optician, get in touch with your local optician. Similarly, if you’re not sure whether you need urgent care, they will be happy to help with any questions you have.