AIBU to push for an urgent eye appointment after vision loss?

[Dolliesdolciness]

Posting for a handhold. I have a branch retinal vein occlusion in my eye. This has resulted in some loss of eyesight, which is permanent. I’ve been attending the macular clinic at my local hospital and each time they have said it’s stable, and no treatment needed.

I last went in April and I’m definitely due another appointment. The thing is, it’s happened again and I’ve lost more of my eyesight. My understanding is that I should definitely be seen. I’ve rung them twice and each time they’ve said they are way behind with the appointments.

I don’t know what my AIBU is but I need to be seen and I don’t know what to do. To give you a complete picture, I’m on my own. DH died last year and I feel a bit pathetic. Any advice and support would be welcome. Thank you.

Yes, thank you. I fully appreciate what you’re saying. If I go and see the optician, they can get me seen at the macular clinic. I think that’s what you mean.

I’m going to try the macular clinic one more time in the morning. If I don’t get anywhere then I’m going to try the opticians or the eye casualty.

At least I have a plan now. Thanks everyone. x

A and E
sudden vision loss is a medical emergency

Well done, I'll be thinking of you tomorrow and wishing you luck in getting seen - as hard as it is doing it on your own when you're not feeling strong, please don't give up tomorrow until you're in front of an expert who can help you.

If you need some encouragement imagine the dozen random mumsnet commentors cheering you on from all over the place!

Good Luck x

Don't mess around. Straight to your nearest hospital with a dedicated eye casualty. It's what they're there for.

Belt and brace it. Call the optician and get an emergency appointment today. Even if your own one is fully booked, they should be able to give you a website where you can access other local opticians who will see you for an emergency referral. And call/email your hospital consultant’s secretary and ask for an emergency appointment. They are usually brilliant for cutting through when the main eye department switchboard is being unhelpful.

Unless it's an eye specialist A and E or your eyeball is hanging off, it's a waste of time going to A and E. (I'm a optometrist who worked in a hospital).

@Dolliesdolciness you absolutely need to go and see an optician today, you have no way of knowing that the new vision loss is associated with the retinal vein occlusion (in fact it's very unlikely to be associated if it's stable).
You need to go to a practice with an OCT machine and get that done too. We can then refer - usually same day - to an urgent care eye clinic and get you seen.

In my area some local opticians do special appointments which act like triage for sudden issue - i thonk its called CUES , then they phone you into hospital to be seen urgently if needed. Im not sure if existing conditions will be seen though

@Dolliesdolciness did you get anywhere with the macular clinic? I hope you have been seen by now.

Hi everyone. I pushed for an appointment with the macular clinic and I was seen. I’ve been prescribed a course of three injections into my eye, every four weeks. I’m currently in the clinic now about to go and have the first injection. I’m literally shaking.

Thanks for all the support and advice. x