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Persistent gritty sore eyes despite drops, where to seek help?

27 replies

livsummer · 24/03/2026 16:23

My eyes feel really gritty constantly at the moment, its been over a week. One eye was red and the pharmacy suggested antibiotic eye drops in case it was conjunctivitis. It’s just not getting better 4 days later. I don’t think it’s conjunctivitis. It’s really frustrating as my eyes feel sore and like something is in them :(
GP said they can’t see my for eye issues and don’t think it’s an emergency to go to a and e. Where do I go? Can an optician help diagnose this? I haven’t gone to an optician since I was a child as I don’t usually have any eye issues and my sight itself is fine. Or back to pharmacy?
thank you

OP posts:
livsummer · 24/03/2026 23:59

It’s interesting that some of you have mentioned perimenopause. I’m 39 this year.
I might try hayfever tablets too and drink more water which I am terrible at. It’s so frustrating as it’s just randomly come on :(

OP posts:
Voltefarce · 25/03/2026 09:42

Arran2024 · 24/03/2026 16:51

They have stopped the walk in A& E service. I used it before lockdown but last year my husband hurt his eye on a tree branch and discovered it was appointment only. He had to go to our hospital's A&E dep, where they gave him some treatment then booked him an appointment for the eye clinic in the same hospital for the following day.

Oh what a shame. Thanks for the update!

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