A RUNCORN optician now provides free eye health services on behalf of the NHS.

Specsavers in Runcorn Shopping Centre can investigate and help manage a number of minor eye conditions, including red or watery eye and dry or sticky eye.

Patients can be referred to the store through their GP or make an appointment themselves.

A diabetic screening service is also available.

Delivered on behalf of the NHS, these services and appointments are free can be booked at short notice with availability six days a week.

Specsavers Runcorn store director Stuart Jones said: “Specsavers has long been a champion not only of the importance of regular eye tests but of general eye health.

“We already test and diagnose more eye conditions than any other UK opticians.

“We introduced free digital retinal photography as part of our regular eye examination several years ago, allowing us to detect signs of many conditions and monitor progress, including glaucoma, diabetes, high blood pressure and in extreme cases, tumours.

"We are proud to take our clinical expertise a stage further and enhance the level of care we can offer people in Runcorn with the added benefit of helping to reduce the pressure on our local NHS services."

The store in Runcorn can detect and manage minor eye conditions, including red eye, dry eye and floaters on the same day.

More complex conditions will be discussed on a case-by-case basis.