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A Newry optician has gained a new qualification that will allow him to treat urgent eye conditions in store, cutting the need for patients to wait for a GP appointment or attend hospital. Will Stevenson, optician director at Specsavers Newry, spent two years training in local eye hospital clinics to qualify as an independent prescribing optometrist, meaning he can now diagnose and treat urgent eye conditions and prescribe medication where needed.
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In 2026 alone, 800 people with urgent eye care needs have visited Specsavers Newry, with many referred on to the RVH eye casualty in Belfast. Most of those patients can now be treated locally instead, giving them faster access to care while easing pressure on GPs and emergency departments.
Stevenson said timing was critical when it came to eye injuries, infections and other conditions. He said: "With longer waits at local A&Es and more patients needing referral to eye casualty in Belfast, I wanted to make sure we could provide treatment there and then for our local customers."
His colleague Kerri Rafferty, an optician director at the Buttercrane practice, has also gained a professional certificate in glaucoma, giving her greater expertise in detecting, monitoring and managing one of the most serious eye conditions. Rafferty said the qualification meant she could identify the early signs of glaucoma, interpret more complex test results and better understand the different types of the condition and their risk factors, helping to protect customers' long-term vision.
She said it also meant referrals for specialist treatment could be made more accurately and with greater detail, helping to speed up the process. "It means fewer unnecessary hospital visits, while ensuring faster access if a hospital referral is needed," Rafferty added.
Specsavers Newry is locally owned and run by Sharon Fegan, Michelle Linden, Will Stevenson and Kerri Rafferty. Appointments can be booked at specsavers.co.uk or by calling 028 3025 0011.
