GP or pharmacist, which would you do?

[SoreEyes57]

Toddler is just 3 and has what looks to be conjunctivitis in both eyes. It’s clearly bothering him a bit, poor little tot. I have no idea whether it would be something he has picked up at nursery or an allergy, as he’s never had anything like it before.

I don’t want to waste anyone’s time, but some websites say always go to the GP, but others say pharmacist should be fine. If it were for myself, I would try the pharmacy first, but I am a bit more paranoid for him! WIBU go to the Doc at the moment? Or should I just discuss an OTC with a pharmacist first and give it a few days? (I’ll be keeping him off nursery just so he doesn’t spread it around any further if it is a contagious one, plus he’s an absolute misery with it anyway!)

TIA!

I think I would try pharmacy first, they will then advice if you should go to Dr. Poor wee man

Go to pharmacist first.
Pharmacist will advise if you need gp.

Pharmacist first. Some GPs don’t even “do” eyes. When I had bacterial conjunctivitis I had to get an emergency appointment with an optician who then prescribed me antibiotic drops.

Pharmacist will be fine. They can sell drops for over 2 years old

Pharmacy, you can buy antibiotic eye drops over the counter and they are exactly the same as the ones the GP will prescribe.
You can clean the eyes with cooled boiled water on a cotton wool pad as well.

For red eye, the optician

Thanks so much all, that’s what I thought, I just wanted a sanity check! The optician is actually opposite the pharmacy, so I can try both tomorrow.

Pharmacy first. They will tell you if he needs to see the GP.

Also, I went to my local pharmacy recently to ask for advice about a different eye problem, and they referred me to a local optician to have it checked out. The referral was for something called the minor eye conditions service (I think), I don’t know if all opticians offer this, but that may be an alternative to the pharmacy to look into.

Both eyes, young kid, usually viral. Pharmacists aren't trained for diagnosing viral vs bacterial so usually just sell you the antibiotic drop regardless. Then in a couple of days you go to the GP to complain that the drop isn't working. The antibiotic drops will irritate eyes and won't get better faster as... virus. Optician most useful.

Pharmacy. If yellow discharge it is normally bacterial so requires anti biotic drops which they can sell.

If it is red eye it is normally viral.

Most opticians won't see you for bacterial conjunctivitis unless they run a minor eye health service.