Semaglutide, Special Educational Settings (SES) Vouchers, LOCSU and FODO News

15 June 2026

We have 4 items for you today:

1. Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus): Risk of Non Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy
   Primary Eyecare Services (PES) advise: 

   Dear Colleague,
   A Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Alert has been received about Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus): risk of Non arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION).

   Please review the details for this MHRA Alert using the following link: risk of Non arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) and the guidance from the College of Optometrists and take any necessary and appropriate actions. 

   Kind regards,

   Primary Eyecare Services

2. Patients in Special Educational Settings (SES) – GOS3 and GOS4 claims
   
   PCSE advise:

   “Dear Colleague,

   The Special Educational Settings (SES) scheme supports children and young people who attend special schools by providing access to NHS sight tests delivered through the SES NHS sight test service. While sight tests may be carried out within a Special Educational Setting, patients are not restricted to using a specific ophthalmic contractor when it comes to dispensing. A patient, or their parent or carer, may present a GOS3 or GOS4 voucher to any ophthalmic contractor, including a high street practice. This means ophthalmic contractors may occasionally see SES patients even if they do not provide the SES NHS sight test service themselves.  Submitting GOS3 and GOS4 claims for SES patients  When submitting a GOS3 or GOS4 claim for a patient who attends a Special Educational Setting, it is important to ensure the correct patient eligibility is selected on the Patient Eligibility screen in PCSE Online. If the patient is recorded as being within a Special Educational Setting, there is no need to complete the following fields on the Patient’s Declaration screen: Signatory (patient, parent, carer, or guardian)  Name  Address  No signature is required for an SES patient. This applies regardless of which ophthalmic contractor submits the claim, provided the SES eligibility has been selected correctly.  Important information about PMS systems  Please note that no changes have been made to PMS systems as part of these updates. Contractors using a PMS should be aware that:    SES GOS3 and GOS4 vouchers must still be redeemed via PCSE Online.  Support  Detailed, step by step guidance on completing claims is available in the user guides:  GOS3 user guide  GOS4 user guide    These guides include screenshots and additional information to support accurate submission of claims in PCSE Online.

   Best wishes, The PCSE Ophthalmic Payments Team.”

   This statement can also be found online HERE.

3. LOCSU News
   Is HERE, including A Shared Vision: World Optometry Week 2026, Case Studies and Uniting for a Glaucoma-Free World – Glaucoma Awareness Week 2026
4. FODO News
   Is HERE, here including College and LOCSU publish new glaucoma resources, New GLP-1 guidance note for primary eye care and NHS Neighbourhood Health Framework.

 

Kind regards

Herts LOC