Eye injury - To not go to the a&e?

[Lonelycats]

Hi, I hate going to the hospital or the gp and will do anything to avoid it, and I’d be so appreciative if anyone has any advice for me!

I hit my eye on my car door, it violently swung back and the corner of the door hit me right in the eye with some force. Awful. I had just been shopping and had some frozen beans so I was able to instantly apply that as a cooling pack.

the eye looks normal but is sore, and my vision is just a little blurry. No flashes of light or patches of darkness in my field of vision. No photosensitivity.

please tell me that I can let this heal/recover on it’s own? Any red flags which would prompt a call to the gp? Really really don’t want to go but obviously don’t want to compromise my vision if that’s a risk.

I am a hospital avoider but you don't mess about when it comes to vision and hearing

@underneaththeash but doesn't a retinal detachment have to dealt with straight away? I thought leaving it several hours meant it couldn't be repaired?

No. I had a RD diagnosed at Moorfields one evening and was sent home and told to return to the Retino-Vitreal Clinic the following morning for surgery. I was operated on at 2.30 in the afternoon. It needs to be treated quickly but not necessarily immediately. Moorfields doesn’t undertake surgery at night.

I poked my eye with the end of a hairband last year. The white of my eye suddenly became totally red with blood. Not a pretty sight. Dh took me to local optician who was able to fit me in. I had a thorough examination and fortunately didn't have to go to hospital but at that stage the nearest eye casualty was still closed due to covid and optromonists were seeing to any eye accidents. Plus I didn't have to pay them as this was picked up by the NHS as it would normally have been seen at the eye casualty.

Go to A&E. Over time I lost the sight in one eye due to an impact injury that wasn't attended to.

I can’t think of much that they’d operate on in the middle of the night, maybe some types of penetrating injury.
There’s a few things they’d want to keep an eye on you and admit, but it’s highly unlikely the OP has any of them.

if you can’t get an optician appointment this morning (and I’m sure you will if you call round), then go over to A&E (one with an eye unit).

@Lonelycats How are you now OP?

It’s pretty much back to normal @RedDoughnut , thanks for asking. I was a bit swollen and the eye felt tender and scratched the next day but that was it.

I cannot believe I don’t have a black eye or any outward signs of this incident, I guess the four hours of icing it, and the arnica, must have helped.