EYE STREET CLINICS

Opticians' powers to give treatment instead of GPs

- BY MARTIN BAGOT Health Editor

OPTICIANS will get new powers to treat some eye conditions normally dealt with by GPs or in hospital, under government plans.

Patients will be able to get a diagnosis and prescription on the high street for problems such as dry eye, severe allergies and conjunctivitis.

It is part of the government's 10 Year Health Plan to shift more NHS care into the community and closer to where people live.