Please see the below guidance notes for the prescribing of dry eye products, produced by SNEE Medicines Optimisation team.
As you’ll be aware the NHSE guidance for the self-purchase of eye lubricants is for those with simple mild and moderate dry eye. Prescriptions can be offered to those with:
- Severe dry eyes – documented by a Specialist Assessment Service i.e. Hospital Eye Service, commissioned eye clinic
- Non-dry eye conditions e.g. glaucoma, keratosis, corneal transplant, neurotrophic cornea, previous corneal conditions, recurrent corneal erosions, corneal ulcer, auto immune disease (e.g. Rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative keratitis)
- A symptom from a condition e.g. Sjogren’s syndrome or Stevens-Johnson dry eye
- Post ophthalmic surgery – (duration to be advised on discharge). Not all ophthalmic surgery will require lubricants to be prescribed
- A side effect from another medicine e.g. anticholinergics, HRT, glaucoma eye drops.
When requesting prescriptions for eye lubricants, please ensure any communication sent to GP practices includes the diagnosis or there is risk it will be refused.
Patients who are unhappy to self-purchase, can be directed to our Patient Advice & Liaison Service (PALS) at pals@snee.nhs.uk or freephone 0800 389 6819 or in writing to PALS. Endeavour House, Russell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX
If you have any queries, please contact us on our generic email address depending upon your area:
Ipswich & East Suffolk: medicines.optimisation.ies@snee.nhs.uk
North East Essex: sneeicb-nee.medicinesmanagement@nhs.net
West Suffolk: medicines.optimisation.ws@snee.nhs.uk