Sick day for this??

[FuckParkdean]

My bloody eyes. I'm certain it's conjunctivitis, full of green gunk, cleaning every 10 mins and still producing. Feels like they are full of grit. Vision is cloudy/Smokey, I assume from the layer of crap on my eyes. They're so so red and sore, as is the skin around them.

I work in an office and look at my computer screen from 8:30-5.

My plan is the call the doctors at 8am and try and get an appointment, perhaps needing antibiotics as the over the counter drops aren't helping at all.

AIBU to have a sick day for this? In times like this, unpaid sick days aren't ideal and riddle me with guilt but my god my eyes are killing me and I'm so miserable!

You may find that your area has a service where opticians do this rather than GP. My advice would be to give your local Boots Opticians a call. If there is a local scheme they will be on it, and you’ll be in the right place to buy the antibiotics if needed afterwards!

I certainly wouldn't go to the GP, they are under enough strain, when a pharmacist will be much quicker and easier

It sounds like you can't do you job so of course you have to call in sick

The OP says over the counter drops aren't helping.

Why is this a question? Rest those poor eyes! Get of Mn too!

Over the counter drops are different from the ones that pharmacists can prescribe.

Conjunctivitis is a symptom of the new Covid variant, so that’s something else to consider.

This, you can get antibiotic drops from a pharmacist for this - if you can't get a GP appointment.

Of course you need to be off sick. Are you not entitled to paid sick leave? Conjunctivitis spreads on paper and is very contagious so please get treatment! It's also really depressing and irritating so for your MH get sorted. You can get antibiotic cream in pharmacy.

@FuckParkdean

Slightly off topic, but my daughter has her 3 year booster jabs this afternoon, should I avoid taking her to this as it's within the surgery or would it be okay to still take her?

I'd phone the surgery and ask their advice, but I think they'd probably say not to.
Also, I didn't know it might be a symptom of a new Covid variant, might be worth testing if you can.

Thanks everyone. I went to the pharmacist who had a look and said that because there has been a change to my vision (the cloudy/smokiness) that I need to see a GP. I've managed to get a phone appointment for this afternoon some time, and I also mentioned about attending surgery for my daughters boosters and they said this will be fine, just sanitise before I enter and avoid touching my eyes.

Hopefully the GP can prescribe something even though it's only a phone call appointment!

Successfully got some antibiotics! Already feeling less gritty thankfully. Thanks for everyone's help!

Great news! Now, get some rest! X

Check you don’t have Covid too as conjunctivitis is one of the signs of the latest variant.