To go to hospital (XX gross photo attached)

[Calmondeck]

DH saying I’m being dramatic about gross stye. It’s been 48 hours and I feel like I’ve been punched in the face. The swelling from the stye is filling half my cheek. It does feel a bit OTT to go to hospital, but am also concerned about vision ramifications if I leave it another 15 hours before getting medical attention

111

Optician? They can refer to eye a and e if needs be.

Pharmacists can prescribe antibiotics so I would head over to a pharmacy. A & E would probably send you away as not exactly urgent. But infections do need to get looked at. Pharmacy, 111, call GP in morning.
Edit to say I'm assuming you've been putting regular hot flannel/cotton wool with boiled water on it?

Please get seen by someone!

My mum had something very similar and it turned into a really nasty infection in the eye and surrounding areas.

I would give 111 a call tbh .Never muck about with eyes

My GC have had orbital cellulitis, there are eye doctors available 24 hours. My DD had slight discolouring in her eye and then swelling, she went to the walk in, who could prescribe antibiotics. She had infectious keratitis. You need to be seen. Go to a walk in or A&E.

Styes are horrible and so uncomfortable, but it’s unlikely to cause you any harm overnight and I really don’t think I’d go to hospital with one. You’d be better going to a late pharmacy.

And try not to touch it - don’t keep pulling your eyelid down to look at it, tempting though it is.

@lightsandtunnels it might be serious. With some eye conditions you need to start treatment straight away or you are looking at antibiotics via a drip etc. Pharmacists are reluctant to treat eyes.

Could it be start of shingles?
Anyway I'd seek medical attention asap

You need to be seen. Either ring 111, go to a and e or if you have an eye hospital go to their a and e..

At this time? Ours are all closed by 6pm

Call Spescavers NHS triage tomorrow morning they will get you seen tomorrow.

Shingles and eyes do not mix…..this poster has a good point

Pharmacists cannot prescribe antibiotics for anything outside their very narrow remit. You can certainly go to one for advice but they won’t be able to send you home with antibiotics.
If you’re close to a big city they sometimes have a specialised eye hospital with an A&E of their own.

Normally with a nasty stye I'd warm compress it tonight and then pharmacy in the morning. But with the swelling around the face straight to Urgent care, you've given it time and it's blown up.

The stye itself isn’t the issue (although uncomfortable) but the fact the swelling is travelling from your eye to half way down your cheek is of concern to seek medical help.

I’d phone 101, they might be able to get you an appointment with the nearest walk in centre/ eye hospital rather than an A&E visit.

I would call 111, don’t mess about with eyes!
ask if you can have a referral to the eye hospital as you think it needs to be seen. They are usually very good and act really promptly in my experience.
last time I had an eye issue, one of the lovely doctors asked to do a face time so that she could see if it was worth me trekking up to the hospital. She then emailed a prescription for antibiotics straight to the pharmacy to collect instead of having to go up there.

This is incorrect, pharmacist can and do prescribe antibiotics however I don’t believe an eye infection comes under the criteria they can prescribe antibiotics for.

If you’re in London Western Eye Hosptial closes 8.30. It’s a walk in eye A&E

Otherwise Specsaver NHS triage can refer you to specialist eyecare if required.

The correct route would be either 111 or an urgent treatment centre. Not accident and emergency. 111 can triage and refer you there if needed.

It depends if they are a prescribing pharmacist or not.

Our local pharmacy has one you can book appointments with. I saw them for an ear infection, but the person before me went with an eye issue. ( I only know because while waiting for the ). were discussing what was said on a mobile phone.
Having said that, they wouldn't be available of an evening, snd an optician would be available in the morning.

Have to agree specsavers first thing of you can't get seen sooner via 111.

I've had different issues and they saw me and contacted my GP to refer me straightaway (on BH Monday!). I had an apt thought for ophthalmologist first thing Tuesday.

Apt isn't for a few weeks but mine isn't urgent (looks like glaucoma).

But I've been under them for years and they are really good at triaging and responding.

Yes so as per the post within their ‘narrow remit’. Which doesn’t include eye infections. Please call 111 OP , your eyesight isn’t worth messing with.

You just need antibiotic ointment, possibly tablets. It can wait till tomorrow.

Hospital. It's all 111 will do.