People experiencing minor eye problems like dry or sore eyes, or eyelid lumps, bumps and irritation, as well as eye infections and allergies, can seek help from their local pharmacy to get help faster and closer to home.
Pharmacies can support people with minor eye problems by providing expert advice and treatment quickly and conveniently in their own community. Local pharmacists can assess them, recommend treatment where appropriate, or refer them on to specialist services if further care is needed.
Neil Hardy, Chief Pharmacist for NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said: "Our community pharmacies are already playing a vital role in helping thousands of people get quick and convenient care for minor illnesses and ailments closer to home. Expanding awareness of the eye support available in pharmacies is a natural next step in that journey.
"We know that when people develop a minor eye problem, they want expert help quickly and locally. Pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals who can assess symptoms, provide advice and suggest treatments where appropriate, and ensure patients are directed to the right service for their particular needs if they require additional care.
"This is about making healthcare simpler and more accessible for local people while strengthening neighbourhood health services. By helping patients receive the right care in the right place, we can improve their experience and make sure our GP practices, urgent treatment centres and emergency departments are available for those who need them most."
The campaign aligns with the ambitions set out in the NHS 10 Year Health Plan, supporting the continued shift from hospital-based care towards more preventive, community-based services delivered closer to home.
Mr Hardy added: "The vision for the NHS is clear - delivering more care in neighbourhoods and communities, and making it easier for people to access support without needing to attend hospital. The wide range of services now available in pharmacies, like blood pressure testing, vaccinations and support for minor illnesses, including eye conditions, demonstrates how we can use the skills of our wider healthcare workforce to give patients faster access to care, while supporting the long-term vision for the NHS."
Residents experiencing a minor eye condition are encouraged to speak to their local pharmacy in the first instance. However, contact lens wearers who experience eye problems, or who need help removing a contact lens, should contact the optician responsible for suppling and managing their contact lenses.
If eye symptoms are severe, including any changes to or loss of vision, or if the patient has suffered an injury like a scratch, impact or chemical splash to the eye, then they should seek urgent medical advice through NHS 111 or emergency services as appropriate.
4 August 2026
