Homeless eye clinic opens in Exeter

A new eye clinic for homeless people has opened in Exeter.

The clinic, which is led by a team of volunteers, is located at Clock Tower Surgery in Wat Tyler House which brings together some 25 services for homeless and vulnerable people.

Set up by the charity, Vision Care for Homeless People, it has been made possible by support from the Local Optical Committee, a team of volunteer optometrists, donations from Specsavers and Bills Opticians which will provide the glazing of spectacles. It joins a small group of similar clinics in London, Manchester, Birmingham and Brighton.

Exeter ranks ninth in England’s listing of rough sleepers, with 0.77 per thousand, according to the latest figures available.

Ben Bradshaw, MP for Exeter, praised the initiative in view of the problem: “I commend this project that aims to ensure homeless people can access the care they need and will also make it easier for them to move off the streets and into permanent accommodation.”

Operating on Tuesday afternoons it will provide a free sight test and glasses service for homeless people, and referral to hospital if needed.

The venture will receive funding for some of the patients through the NHS, but as with the charity’s other clinics, provides a service for all people who are homeless. 

Additional running costs will be met through donations of money, and services in-kind plus help from volunteers.