Bloodshot Eyes

nedmundo

GlasweJen wrote: »

refer to opthalmology! They tend to both be located within these buildings called hospitals. Doctors all do the same basic training before specialising and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out what department someone with a black spots and pain in their eye should go to.

What is your problem anyway? Are you just bitter because you're an independent DO/optom who's losing money because people like me advocate actually shopping around and choosing glasses that fit/that you like or do you just enjoy finding random posters and jumping on them at stupid times of the night making snap judgments about qualifications you know nothing about?

What are the chances of pitching up at A & E and seeing a Doctor and not a triage nurse? Not good - I'd wager! A & E means accident and emergency. Either way, someone with slightly red eyes for the past 2 months or any other symptoms for that duration for that matter is not an 'emergency' and what not be popular in a busy A & E clinic. They would just be taking a slot needed by a real 'emergency' patient - increasing waiting times.

My problem is a bit of training as an Optical Assistant does not qualify you to give clinical advice, especially on here as it contravenes forum rules and could easily be misinterpreted by a great many people.

I'm not losing a battle and there's nothing wrong with shopping around, but it's best to shop around 1st and then do everything under one roof - common sense really. Do you really tell patients where you work to never order specs at the same time as their test and shop around? I bet that goes down really well with your employers. Time of day is irrelevent and most of my posts werer earlier in the day.

I'll leave this discussion now.

belfastgirl23

Regardless of the debate that's emerged here OP don't forget to make your appointment let us know how you get on...

btw my local boots seem to have appointments pretty quickly, if you check around you should be able to see someone tomorrow. As Jen says you don't need to commit to buying anything there and then even if you do turn out to need glasses or something. Don't let all the what ifs put you off. A basic eye test costs around £20 and that's what you need most urgently. You can sort the rest out afterwards.

Oh and an eye test can show up all sorts of other conditions as well so it's worth making it something you do at least every couple of years...

plainsie

belfastgirl23 wrote: »

Regardless of the debate that's emerged here OP don't forget to make your appointment let us know how you get on...

btw my local boots seem to have appointments pretty quickly, if you check around you should be able to see someone tomorrow. As Jen says you don't need to commit to buying anything there and then even if you do turn out to need glasses or something. Don't let all the what ifs put you off. A basic eye test costs around £20 and that's what you need most urgently. You can sort the rest out afterwards.

Oh and an eye test can show up all sorts of other conditions as well so it's worth making it something you do at least every couple of years...

Hi belfastgirl23 Just an update. I finally got the nerve to go for the eye test. Went to Boots as I was going to go to D&A but now they're Boots, so anyway. I had all the normal tests and an extra one that cost a tenner extra to take photos of back of eye. Everything ok but I do need glasses, for distance and reading. Already ordered varifocals. Optician said the red veins could be tiredness but nothing to worry about. Thanks to you and everyone on this site for advice.

hannahO_2

I had a few eye tests in the past but none of opticians said anything about my bloodshot eyes which I had them over 10 years. Do you think I should have been concerned? I am due to go for another check-up soon.

belfastgirl23

I think if you have a problem the optician will pick it up. It's worth mentioning that your eyes are a bit bloodshot just so they can reassure you, but I know mine are inclined to be a bit red at times too, I think it's just the price I pay for too much tv and computer time

sassy_one

nedmundo wrote: »

Realsitically - what is an A & E department going to know about eyes?

If you had any knowledge/qualification you'd know the answer to that.

Anyone with ANY pain in the eyes or loss of vision during out of hours, MUST attend there local accident and emergency department.

A hospital will start the patient on IV drip to block pressure and drop it in the eyes.

The hospital also has 'on-call' opticians that they can call upon if needed before morning, including surgeons for serious vision threatening conditions.

Any pain in the eyes with or without blurred vision, black spots, loss of visual fields is a emergency condition that needs treatment to save your sight!

Make an appointment to see your optician and get your eyes tested!

nedmundo

I think the above post paints a grim picture - Acute Glaucoma is quite rare and there are lot's of other possibilities which would explain those symptoms and wouldn't necessarily be an emergency or need an IV drip. Best speak to the duty GP 1st? They can then make the appropriate arrangements.

sassy_one

nedmundo wrote: »

I think the above post paints a grim picture - Acute Glaucoma is quite rare and there are lot's of other possibilities which would explain those symptoms and wouldn't necessarily be an emergency or need an IV drip. Best speak to the duty GP 1st? They can then make the appropriate arrangements.

With respect, Glaucoma is the second highest cause for blindness in the UK.

Is it really worth waiting to see a GP for?

Any eye pain IS AN EMERGENCY

I was told just that, by my optician a few weeks ago, you MUST attend accident and emergency with ANY pain in the eye.

nedmundo

There are several types of glaucoma, most are slowly progressing. Acute glaucoma is an emergency, but is rare and quite obvious to anyone with medical training. Speaking to an on-call GP will ensure that the eye department will be expecting you with the correct specialist in place to deal with it.

At A & E, you would most likely see a trained nurse, who could misdiagnose. I've known it happen in the past.

tidus

"ANY eye pain is an emergency"

No, its not.

Severe, frontal eye pain, especially with reduced vision, is a job for A&E.

Dull ache, occasianal sharp pain, soreness, irritation and low level discomfort - not an emergency. Minor eye infections, allergies, migranes, tension headaches, sinus pain, dry eyes, needing glasses, tiredness.... I'm sure local A&E would be delighted to have to deal with all of these.