Poked In Eye !

[Catlady2021]

Hi all,

Yesterday morning on the way back home from a long weekend away, I was packing the car up. Whilst putting things in the boot, I bent down and poked myself in the eye with an umbrella end. Bit of a freak accident you could say !

Really hurt and I couldn’t share the drive back. The eye can’t fully open for more than a few minutes at a time, and weeps. I thought it would have been okay more than a day later, but it still hurts a bit and I still cannot open the eye properly. It’s a little red and the looks a little swollen. I can see out of it luckily.

I tried the Specsavers triage line today but haven’t been called back yet, and tried my GP and couldn’t get through. I even called the walk in centre to see if they do walk ins- they don’t- you need an appointment. Don’t know why it’s called a walk in clinic in this case!

Am I being unreasonable to bite the bullet and just go up to A&E? I’ve got an opticians appointment tomorrow that I booked online , but it’s not until 4pm tomorrow. I can also do without paying for the appointment being low on money.

Will they be cross at me for going A &E? I appreciate I’m not dying, but I think we all agree our eyes are important. I feel so stupid and stressed over what to do.
Waiting almost another 24 hours seems such a long time, especially as I don’t know what I’ve done to it.

Any advice please ?

I'd phone 111 to be triaged to a local eye hospital. It may be that they send you to a&e anyway.

It sounds like you may have scratched your cornea which usually requires antibiotic drops and time ti heal.
Hopefully you get seen asap

Just got call back from Specsavers triage line. With the information I gave them earlier today, they’ve advised me to go to A&E as soon as I can !
They have no opticians on duty that can help.

Just about to go. But my goodness, just heard from a neighbour that they were in A &E last night with a child and they were there 9 hours ! Is that normal ?!

If it's any reassurance eyes should ALWAYS be seen at A&E, they are prone to damage and infection. I've been twice, once simply with grit in my eye that wouldn't come out - and ended up with a scratched sclera and an infection.

Thanks Newyear- that’s reassuring to know.

What did they say, @Catlady2021?

Hi everyone, so 5 hours spent at A& E last night.
They put some orange eye drops in my eye- quite weird to show any scratches. Then examined my eyes with a microscope, including doing an eye chart test.
My eye was blurry and couldn’t make out the letters, although it had bright lights shorn in it so wasn’t too surprised.
They’ve referred me to see and optimistic at a later date to check on the eyes healing.
Basically I’ve scratched a layer off my Irish and pupil, like an abrasion.
I’ve got to put in eye tips 4 times a day for 5 days.
Really hope it heals, I really was a bit upset when they told me I’d damaged my iris and pupil. I hope this isn’t permanent.

My DP injured his eye working on his car. He ended up in terrible pain a few days later. He was at work so I called 111 for advice. The lady told me she couldn't give advice as he wasn't with me but she made it very clear he could walk in to A&E. He went straight up to A&E from work and they sorted him out.

Thanks- the eye drops are to stop infection. Just goes to show you should always go to A& E with any eye injury, it’s impossible to know what damage is done otherwise.
Did it take long for his eye to heal Thackery?

Still hurts and vision still blurry. Anyone know how long it can take to come back?

Hi OP, I've had similar - twice once I somehow managed to poke myself in the eye with my finger and second time DS did it to me.
First time was the worse, and I went straight to local eye infirmary. I also had a large abrasion over the centre of my eye. I had 2 lots of drops for 4 weeks, antibiotic ones and artificial tears. I wasn't really aware of it after a week or so maximum, they were just to minimise infection risk as it was from a fingernail. I reckon by about day 3/4 it was pretty normal and no pain. Occasionally still felt a bit like I had something in my eye but that was just the scratch healing. Do you have artificial tear drops or gel to put in? I found they definitely made it more comfortable in the first couple of days. Was more annoyed then that I couldn't wear my contacts for 4 weeks! Hope it's better soon x

Hi Fancy- the only drops I have are the anti biotic ones. Did you have trouble keeping your eye open ? I keep squinting! I go back to work on Monday and really need to be sorted by then !

Definitely for the first few days! I'd be ok, then find I was blinking rapidly or squinting for a bit as it just felt irritated. I think as it's like you feel there is something in your eye you can't get rid of as the scratch means your eye isn't as smooth as usual. It definitely improved pretty quickly for me so hope you're ok in the next couple of days

Well it’s day one of taking the antibiotics. Eye still tender and feels gritty. Really hope the blurred vision goes back to normal, just resting it as much as I can.
Such a stupid thing to do having a freak accident !

Just bumping the thread again.

So two weeks in and the eye hasn’t completely healed. Still a bit blurry.

I was contacted by the eye clinic and missed the telephone call.

I eventually got through to them and they are going to call me tomorrow to arrange an appointment to have it looked at.

Before they contacted me I did re arrange an opticians appointment for Saturday.

Should I genuinely be worried that it hasn’t fully healed after two weeks?