A TYNEDALE optometrists is continuing to provide vital eye care during the coronavirus lockdown.

Local independent and family run business Croft and Graves Optometrists, in Corbridge, continues to run a reduced level of service for essential and emergency eyecare to support the community with vital eye care needs.

The practice has continued to operate thanks to the work of optometrist and owner Nick Croft along with his wife, Nicolle, practice manager.

On running the practice single-handedly most days, Nick explained: "Currently, the government guidelines and that of the optical professional bodies are clear – we can only provide essential, emergency, and urgent eyecare.

"We are following the guidelines to ensure the continued safety of our clients and our staff when they return."

From late March, if a patient had an eye health emergency, eye exams were still provided by the Corbridge business following a telephone or video consultation.

“We continue to ensure that those who urgently need care are still able to access it and people can be reassured that we are using PPE in accordance with our professional guidelines," said Nick.

He added: "I have seen patients that have been triaged through NHS 111, as well as able to treat patients with red eye and other conditions."

Anyone with a non-urgent eye care request can phone the practice for advice, which can be given remotely.

Nicolle Croft said:“As local eye care providers, we know we play an essential role in the community in maintaining people’s eye health and making sure they can see as well as possible.

“We are looking forward to welcoming patients back soon for routine eye care, albeit with a few changes to our usual service to ensure everyone’s safety, and our team are all looking forward to delivering the best care and service."