Frequently Asked Questions

You should call us immediately if you suffer a sudden loss of vision or intense pain in one eye or sudden onset of flashing lights and/or floaters in your vision. Any sudden changes in your vision should also be reported (e.g. sudden blur or double vision). Initially, you should describe the problem to a receptionist who will pass the details to an Optometrist who will decide if you need to be seen the same day.

All emergency appointments will be charged at either £45 or £25 depending on whether your pupils need to be dilated.

If it is out of hours, here is a list of the local hospitals with A&E departments:

THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA HOSPITAL
Hamstel Road, Harlow, Essex CM20 1QX
Eye Clinic: 01279 827158 Switchboard: 01279 444455

Opening hours: Mon/Tue/Fri 8:30am to 6:00pm, Wed/Thur 8:30am to 9:00pm

Patients with an eye related emergency should report to the Hospital’s A&E department where they will be assessed and booked into the eye casualty clinic to see a doctor as appropriate.

LISTER HOSPITAL – THE TREATMENT CENTRE
Coreys Mill Lane, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 4AB
Tel: 01438 735200 Switchboard: 01438 314333

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am to 7:30pm and Sat 9:00am to 12:30pm

The Treatment Centre is a 3 storey large brown wooden covered building. Ask at reception for eye casualty.

MOORFIELDS EYE HOSPITAL
162 City Road, London EC1V 2PD
A& E telephone (Mon –Fri 9am -4.30pm) 020 7566 2345
(out of hrs telephone 020 7253 3411 & ask for A&E)

Opening hours: 24hrs daily.

Most definitely not! All the equipment is safe and painless and your Optometrists will explain everything as you go along. If you are especially nervous then please tell us – we are really very sympathetic!

Generally every 2 years for people up to 70 years of age, and then yearly from then on. Patients with a family history of glaucoma or those with diabetes should be seen yearly, but your Optometrists will advise you.

At least once every 2 years, but more frequently for the very young or those with potential eye problems

A cataract is an opacity or blur that develops in the lens of the eye. In the early stages, the patient may only notice slightly blurred vision with some loss of colours. As it increases, people commonly notice more dazzle, causing difficulty driving at night and more general blurring. Usually they develop slowly and your Optometrist can advise you when treatment is necessary. This now involves a short operation under local anaesthetic usually with very few problems.

Glaucoma is a group of diseases which can cause blindness. It is often caused by raised pressure in the eye but can develop without this. All our Optometrists are trained to spot early signs of developing glaucoma and to refer you to an Eye Specialist for more tests. Treatment now usually involves eye drops and is very effective in controlling the problem.

This is a very common problem (like long or short sightedness) that causes blurred vision. It is due to an unequal curvature of the cornea or lens. Your vision can easily be corrected and made clear with spectacles and in most cases contact lenses too.

If you have any problems with any aspect of the service you receive, please speak to a member of staff. If the problem is not easily resolved or you are not satisfied that we have done all we can, we would like you to speak to one of the partners: Mary Bramley or Wendy d’E. Vallancey.

Washing your hands for contact lens use

The College of Optometrists have produced a short guide to hay fever. You can also download this infographic to view in full or print as a PDF. Click here

Aves Optometrists processes personal information that relates to patients and is therefore required by law to comply with GDPR, which protects your privacy and ensures that your personal information is processed fairly and lawfully.

Your Right to Access Personal Information

You have the right, under GDPR, to request a copy of the information held on you by our Practice. If you would like to make a request, please send this in writing to the MaryBramley/ Wendy d’E Vallancey at the address below:
Aves Optometrists, 61 High Street, Ware, SG12 9AD

We do not charge a fee for this information, and will respond to your request within 40 days of its receipt.

If you have a query or would like more information, please contact our receptionist on 01920462751 or write to the Mary Bramley or Wendy d’E Vallancey at the address above.