We are proud to announce that our Director and Optometrist Colin Pettinger has recently become an Independent Prescriber.
This new qualification involves several years of studying and hospital based training and enables Optometrists to prescribe medications for common medical eye problems without the need for a visit to a GP or Hospital Eye Clinic.

Colin is the first ever community based Optometrist in the Highlands to gain this qualification, which gives Goskirk Pettinger Optometrists a unique service available in all three branches - Inverness, Dingwall and Golspie.

If you have an eye problem such as severe dryness, itching, redness or pain - whether sudden or troubling you for months, Colin is fully trained and qualified to asses, diagnose and provide treatment using prescription only medications if required. He is a “GP for the eyes”.

NHS Highland are currently finalising the paperwork for Colin to receive an NHS prescription pad similar to those used by GPs - completion is expected in late 2014. However, he can write private prescriptions immediately - most items are not expensive, typically costing between £5 and £10.

For more details, or to book an appointment with Colin for an eye problem, please contact your closest branch - Inverness, Dingwall or Golspie.

For more information on Optometrist Independent Prescribers being the new “GP for your eyes”, please click on the link below:

A GP FOR YOUR EYES - Optometry Scotland Press Release December 2013

Colin’s registration with the General Optical Council as a Specialist Independent Prescriber can be seen here: