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Original poster

GP or Optician?

39 replies

GreenPebbles · 30/10/2024 07:55

When I was going to bed last night I noticed the vision in one eye was blurry and it's just new to me. When I have my good eye closed, the vision from my other eye is somewhat cloudy.

At night when the lights are out I can't see anything when my good eye is closed. Do you know how there is usually some sort of background light somewhere and you can still see when it's dark? When my good eye was closed I wasn't able to see anything. I wasn't able to make out any outlines of picture frames. When my two eyes are open my sight is much better.

This morning I am testing things. I can see things but my vision in the eye is cloudy.

I am just wondering if I need to go to my GP or option. I know my mother was going to opticians for years with regular appointments but they never found anything. It was her GP who found an issue and referred her to the eye clinic in the hospital and she has cateracts. But she was in her 60s with that.

Do I need GP or optician with vision that is cloudy in one eye?

OP posts:
Tittyfilarious · 30/10/2024 07:57

Hi @GreenPebbles it's best you go to the optician, call them this morning and explain the problem.

DrivingThePlot · 30/10/2024 07:57

See your optician first. They can run tests and then refer you to your GP if they find anything.

Whothefuckdoesthat · 30/10/2024 07:57

I’d do both. It can’t hurt.

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General health
NigelHarmansNewWife · 30/10/2024 07:58

How old are you OP? Cloudiness in your vision is a sign of cataracts.

Dreamerinme · 30/10/2024 07:59

You need to see an optician without delay - and if the first one you contact can’t see you immediately then keep trying other ones.

A colleague had this and it was a detached retina which needs urgent treatment or you can lose your sight - of course, it could be something else too. Colleague had an operation but she has some sight loss because she dithered for several weeks before seeking help (she was told this).

Original poster
GreenPebbles · 30/10/2024 08:16

NigelHarmansNewWife · 30/10/2024 07:58

How old are you OP? Cloudiness in your vision is a sign of cataracts.

Early 40s

OP posts:
Original poster
GreenPebbles · 30/10/2024 08:17

Dreamerinme · 30/10/2024 07:59

You need to see an optician without delay - and if the first one you contact can’t see you immediately then keep trying other ones.

A colleague had this and it was a detached retina which needs urgent treatment or you can lose your sight - of course, it could be something else too. Colleague had an operation but she has some sight loss because she dithered for several weeks before seeking help (she was told this).

Thank you.
I see there are some slots for this evening in the city. Should I take one but I am unsure if I will even be free from work.

OP posts:
Peaceloveandhappiness · 30/10/2024 08:18

If you see flashing lights around that eye it could be a detached or tear in the retina. My husband had this and I took him to local A and E, they told him to go straight to another A and E who had an more specialised ophthamologist. They did laser surgery next day for a tear in the retina and he was fine. I went to A and E as it was Bank hol and our optician shut but think they would have sent him to A and E anyway. Whatever you decide, try not to delay as it is important to get early treatment. Good luck.

MadMadMad · 30/10/2024 08:19

I agree with the above posters, try and get an urgent appointment with an optician as they will definitely pick up if it is anything that needs immediate attention and if they say all looks ok get a GP appointment as a follow up. Don’t take chances with your eyes.

user1471556818 · 30/10/2024 08:21

Phone get urgent appointment with optician. I've known a couple of people who got urgent referrals following an appointment. My dad was sent straight to emergency Eye dept .They have all the equipment and can have a really good look at what's going on .
Please don't wait

Original poster
GreenPebbles · 30/10/2024 08:21

Thanks for the replies. Will try and make it in today.

OP posts:
Original poster
GreenPebbles · 30/10/2024 08:22

There's no flashing with my eyes.

OP posts:
coffeesaveslives · 30/10/2024 08:25

Definitely an optician - the GP won't be able to do much (if anything) about your eyes.

You need to go today - it's an emergency.

DrivingThePlot · 30/10/2024 08:25

GreenPebbles · 30/10/2024 08:17

Thank you.
I see there are some slots for this evening in the city. Should I take one but I am unsure if I will even be free from work.

Show quote history

Yes. Take time off work. Eyesight is very important. Once lost, it's life changing. I had a macular hole 3 years ago, found by my optician, and a rarer form of glaucoma which could have caused sudden irreversible blindness. It was treated in time, but I'm still sight impaired in one eye from the damage caused by the macular hole. I had a cataract afterwards. If I'd left it, I would be blind now.

Unconvinced8768 · 30/10/2024 08:26

Have you got an eye hospital (they usually have an A&E) near you?

UhhhhhhhOK · 30/10/2024 08:28

You have a better chance of getting an appointment with an optician than a GP. And agree seeing optician first.

faeriesandelves · 30/10/2024 08:29

Optician can see much more than a gp and do eye pressure and other tests too. Our local optician has an inhouse nhs eye clinic. In any case an optician can refer you to an A&E eye clinic. Best to get checked out. Have you high blood pressure ?

LockForMultiball · 30/10/2024 08:29

GreenPebbles · 30/10/2024 08:17

Thank you.
I see there are some slots for this evening in the city. Should I take one but I am unsure if I will even be free from work.

Show quote history

"Sure, I'm blind in one eye, but staying on at work that Wednesday evening was totally worth it." Nah…

You've got a sudden loss of vision in one eye, please get it looked at as soon as possible. (Personally I'd have been at A&E last night in case it was a stroke or something.)

Alocasia · 30/10/2024 08:30

Optician definitely. Not a GP. Agree this needs to be seen ASAP, take time off work if needed

faeriesandelves · 30/10/2024 08:31

Have you had shingles in the last few months? Just that it caused this with my mum

Westfacing · 30/10/2024 08:31

I would go to the optician.

During one of my routine checks he noticed something and referred me directly to a satellite clinic of Moorfields Eye Hospital, at the same time copied-in my GP.

I was seen within a week and after a battery of tests all is well.

notsureicandoitagain · 30/10/2024 08:32

Find your local eye hospital and ring them. You may need a referral from an optician to get seen - this was my experience.

I had to have my eyes dilated so they could have a good look round. You can't drive after - I used sunglasses to reduce the glare just being out on a cloudy day.

The thing is with eyesight is that issues can become permanent if not checked and addressed so make it a priority to get checked @GreenPebbles.

Keepingongoing · 30/10/2024 08:32

I strongly suggest that you prioritise this over work today. Is there a specialist Eye casualty in your area?, if there is, contact them. Otherwise ring round local opticians as soon as they open, or go to A+ E .

Use online 111 if you want medical verification of what everyone is saying on here.

Chocolatecoatedkettlebell · 30/10/2024 08:42

Keepingongoing · 30/10/2024 08:32

I strongly suggest that you prioritise this over work today. Is there a specialist Eye casualty in your area?, if there is, contact them. Otherwise ring round local opticians as soon as they open, or go to A+ E .

Use online 111 if you want medical verification of what everyone is saying on here.

This!!!

premierleague · 30/10/2024 08:43

Sudden onset? I'd go to eye casualty. At Moorfields if you're in London.