A purpose-built eye health clinic has opened at the University of Centre Lancashire (UCLan) and started welcoming its first patients from the local community.
The clinic at the university’s Preston campus has been set up similarly to a high street optical practice and worked in partnership with Royal Preston Hospital eye department.
Final year MSc optometry students carried out eye examinations under direct supervision and dispensing students also had the opportunity to learn at the clinic.
Professor Graham Baldwin, UCLan vice-chancellor, said: ‘I am delighted to officially open our new eye health clinic here at the University of Central Lancashire. Its services will not only benefit our students and university staff but also local residents, who are invited to take advantage of the outstanding eye healthcare we can provide in such fantastic facilities here in Preston.
‘The clinic joins a growing number of public services we offer as a University, including our dental and physiotherapy clinics. Alongside the direct benefits to our community, the clinic is, of course, also helping to train the next generation of eye care professionals, boosting the local health economy and improving local healthcare provision.’