THE focus is on the eye care needs of those who need it most during the Covid-19 pandemic for the team at a Hereford opticians.

Hereford's Maylord Street Specsavers branch has suspended all routine testing for the foreseeable future to focus on essential and urgent care only, particularly for key workers.

One of those key workers was a respiratory care physiotherapist, working on the front line of a hospital, a spokesperson said.

Her glasses were getting in the way of her PPE, putting her at risk of either not seeing well enough, or of heightening the risk of contracting the coronavirus while treating patients.

Contact lenses proved a good alternative, with the team at Specsavers teaching the customer to fit them so she could continue her work, protected.

"These are challenging times for us all, and so to be able to help key workers, where we can safely do so, is what we are here for," said Hereford store director, Darren Smith.

"Our team have been amazing at providing continued support, despite the challenges, and I’m incredibly proud of them all."

Alongside NHS staff, the team have also supported several other key workers, including a police officer and paramedic, who both needed sight tests to allow them to continue their vital work.

The team has also seen and advised on a number of urgent eye care conditions as well as dispensing essential pairs of replacement spectacles.