Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think you don’t go to A&E for eye pain?

153 replies

Lis1992 · 05/10/2023 23:02

A friend suggested I consider it, to make sure my vision is protected. But I’d never even consider it for eye pain, unless I had an acute injury. Basically had eye pain starting yesterday, and swelling of eyelid. It’s really red and it is quite swollen. Eye is sore every time I blink. But I’m not systemically unwell- normal appetite etc. a quick Google also mentioned get immediate medical attention for pain. But surely conjunctivitis, styes (don’t think it’s that as whole eyelid swollen- no lump or pimple) , all hurt? so why go to A&E? Or am I missing something!

OP posts:
Boomboom22 · 05/10/2023 23:04

Yabvu. Go ffs.

Goreg · 05/10/2023 23:04

Not A&E no. I'd go to a specialist eye unit if there is one near you. Don't fuck about with your sight.

Or, alternatively, start a thread on Mumsnet slagging off your friend, if that's your pleasure.

Up to you.

bemorebernard · 05/10/2023 23:05

I went to optician and was sent straight to the opthalmology department at our local hospital and ended up in for 5 days.

I'd go to a&e if I were you .

Alargeoneplease89 · 05/10/2023 23:05

No, I would suggest pharmacist. Then they will give you a product or tell you to go opticians/ gp if they think it needs medical attention

Isyesterdaytomorrowtoday · 05/10/2023 23:05

External eg lid/stye/conjunctivitis I’d probably see a pharmacist or optician if v concerned- pain in my actual eye I would 100% go to a&e and quickly

elliejjtiny · 05/10/2023 23:06

I would go to the gp for that. If you can get an appointment that is

BarbDwyerHair · 05/10/2023 23:06

Of course you do. I would have lost my sight if I hadn't.

Banrion · 05/10/2023 23:07

Just go to gp

AcclimDD · 05/10/2023 23:08

Start with making a GP appointment and take it from there.

Boomboom22 · 05/10/2023 23:08

Gp is inappropriate if the pain is increasing and redness, vision could be lost in that time.

XenoBitch · 05/10/2023 23:09

YABU. Go to A&E. Don't mess about with your sight.

FlopsSake · 05/10/2023 23:09

At least get checked by a pharmacist

DesTeeny · 05/10/2023 23:09

We have a specific eye casualty. You go to A&E and they refer you in. Just go!

Myyearmytime · 05/10/2023 23:10

Ring an optician and they should give a number of who Ring in emergency. I have a eye a and e here but you need to know what number to ring

SadBadApple · 05/10/2023 23:10

Definitely go! I’ve been told any redness at all is an emergency. It’s not worth the risk. I left a slightly red eye last year and ended up with 6 different drops multiple times a day that I was giving one every half an hour for 4 weeks

frazzledasarock · 05/10/2023 23:10

Do you have an eye hospital near you? They also have A&E’s.

I absolutely would go to A&E for eye pain, you could end up blind if it’s a severe injury which you don’t get seen in a timely manner.

TheSmallAssassin · 05/10/2023 23:11

Ring 111 at least, you can't be too careful with your eyes.

fruitstick · 05/10/2023 23:11

There should be an eye casualty at the hospital which is separate from A& E.

Many opticians have emergency referral appointments too. Don't bother with your GP.

Is it sensitive to light? Is your vision blurred?

I had an emergency referral recently for a corneal ulcer. Was fucking painful and needed urgent treatment before eye was permanently damaged.

FlawedHumanBeing · 05/10/2023 23:11

you should have contact someone yesterday/today. As it’s now night time your only option is A&E and a possibly lengthy wait, but it does need to be checked.

https://primaryeyecare.co.uk/

Primary Eyecare provides NHS-funded eyecare services via local opticians

We work with local opticians in England who can help with eye care issues including urgent problems like red eyes, sore eyes or flashes and floaters.

https://primaryeyecare.co.uk/

lap90 · 05/10/2023 23:12

I'd go to an eye hospital.

Mossstitch · 05/10/2023 23:12

If you don't want to go to A & E then opticians first thing as they are the primary route into opthalmology casualty clinic (opthalmology clinic nurse in my household)if required and a lot easier to get an appointment with than GP. Could be cellulitis which it is actually important to get on antibiotics for quite quickly.

Pussygaloregalapagos · 05/10/2023 23:12

I wouldn’t go to AnE but if you can’t see a doctor it might be best choice.

10HailMarys · 05/10/2023 23:13

Depends on the type of pain. I personally wouldn't go to A&E for a puffy eyelid and a eye that was sore on the surface; I'd show a pharmacist or get an emergency GP appointment in the morning to get some advice.

If my whole eyeball was painful or throbbing, rather than surface soreness, or my vision was changing or it was accompanied by headache or light sensitivity then I would go to A&E.

You could just call 111 and ask them what to do.

CarPour · 05/10/2023 23:13

If your actual eyelid is properly swollen and your eye is properly painful then yes you should go to A&E as infection can spread and you can lose your vision pretty quickly. Orbital cellulitis is serious

If its puffy or more conjunctivitis style symptoms then I would go to the pharmacist

mrsbyers · 05/10/2023 23:14

I went for similar reasons once and it turned out I had some sort of virus/bacteria that was effectively eating the surface of my eye -I couldn’t close my eyelid without awful pain

Swipe left for the next trending thread