UWE Eye Clinic Optometry Bristol

UWE Eye Clinic Optometry Bristol

About UWE Eye Clinic

UWE Eye Clinic, based at the University of the West of England in Bristol, is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-focused eye care. The clinic forms part of the university’s academic and clinical training, allowing third-year BSc Optometry students to provide essential services under the direct supervision of fully qualified and experienced optometrists.

Open to both UWE Bristol staff and students as well as the wider local community, the clinic offers a professional and welcoming environment equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. With a focus on accuracy, safety, and education, the clinic provides a broad range of services that meet the highest standards of modern optometry.

In addition to general eye care, UWE Eye Clinic offers specialist appointments for low vision and paediatric assessments, helping to support individuals with specific or complex needs. The clinic remains an integral part of the university’s mission to blend education with community service, improving access to comprehensive eye health services in the region.

Services

The UWE Eye Clinic provides a full suite of optometry services during term time, with student-led care under expert supervision. Outside term time, appointments are available with fully qualified optometrists.

Key services include:

• Sight Tests – Free, student-led eye examinations are offered during term time and include a comprehensive vision and eye health assessment. Optometrist-led appointments are also available outside term time (£25 for UWE staff/students with an OCT scan, or £50 for non-UWE patients).

• Spectacle Dispensing – After an eye test, patients can receive a new prescription and choose from a range of spectacle options. Dispensing appointments are led by trained students with support from supervisors.

• Contact Lens Fitting – A close-up assessment of fit, comfort, and vision for both new and existing contact lens users, tailored to individual eye health needs.

• Specialist Clinics – These include low vision assessments and paediatric eye care, available to members of the public by appointment.

Additional Information

To ensure the best experience, patients are encouraged to bring the following to their appointments:

• Their most recent spectacle prescription

• Any current spectacles or contact lenses

• A list of current medication

• GP contact details

Appointment Durations:

• Eye Examinations (Student-led): 1 to 2 hours (including waiting time)

• Contact Lens Fittings: Up to 90 minutes

• Dispensing Appointments: 30 to 60 minutes

• Optometrist-led Appointments (Out of Term): Approximately half the time of student-led sessions (charges may apply)

The clinic is designed to serve both as a learning environment and a professional healthcare setting. Patients receive thorough, attentive care while contributing to the development of future optometrists.