John Gurney
Optometrist

Bsc (Hons) MCOptom DipTp(AS) DipTp(SP) DipTp(IP) FBDO(CL) SMC(TECH) OPwSI (Ophthalmology)
Specialist Registered Independent Prescribing Optometrist Clinical Director/Contact Lens Practitioner (GOC 01-17729)

John entered optics in 1986 qualifying as an optical technician at the City and East London College in 1988. After further study John became a registered Dispensing Optician in 1992 and qualified in Contact lenses two years later. In 1995 he attended the City University London for 3 years obtaining a 2:1 degree in Optometry. Following Professional Qualifying Exams he was elected a member of the College of Optometrists in 1999 and was registered as an Optometrist with the General Optical Council (GOC).

In 2008 John undertook further study at the Institute of Optometry London in Ocular Therapeutics Additional supply and Supplementary prescribing.
Between 2010-2011 John attended The City University London and Maidstone Hospital Rapid Access Eye Clinic, following further College of Optometrist’s examinations he qualified as a Specialist Independent Prescriber.
John is one of only 43 Optometrists (OIP Vol 12 Issue 3 87-98(Hytti) 2011)) in England with an Independent Prescribing Specialty.
This Specialty allows John to prescribe and issue medical prescriptions (FP10) s for both NHS and private patients for the treatment of any eye condition.

• John is accredited with the Paula Carr Diabetic Eye screening service examining patients who have been referred to him with diabetic eye problems
• John is member of the Community Ophthalmology Team (COT) employed as an OPwSI(Optometrist with Special Interest in Ophthalmology) by the West Kent NHS trust, this role sees him examining and treating patients who have been referred by the hospital, local General Practitioners and community opticians. John runs two clinics per week for the COT examining and treating patients for a wide range of both acute and chronic eye conditions such as dry eye, red eye, corneal ulcers, uveitis, ocular hypertension and glaucoma
• John performs two week post surgical follow ups for patients who have undergone cataract surgery at Maidstone and Medway hospitals.
• John carries out NHS and Private Eye Examinations for both the practice and home visiting service.

Claire is responsible for the overall running of Kent Eye Care both the practice and home visiting domiciliary side.
Claire set up Kent Eye Care with John some ten years ago.
Prior to this Claire worked in several opticians in both dispensing and managerial roles. /p>