Eye Casualty

Eye Casualty is for serious eye accidents and emergencies that have occurred in the last 48 hours, such as:

• Chemical liquids splashed into the eye. Remember your first aid treatment: flush your eye with plenty of lukewarm water.
• Cuts or lacerations to the eye lids.
• Penetrating eye injury.
• Sudden, painful eye causing sickness and feeling unwell.
• A red, painful eye after surgery.
• Rapid loss of vision following corneal graft surgery.
• Shadow/curtain across vision, increase in flashing lights/floaters.
• Red, painful eye associated with contact lens wear.
• Sudden painless loss of vision.
• If you are a regular patient of ours and you are concerned about your eye.

Any conditions that have been ongoing for a long time need to be discussed with your GP. If you think you have a minor eye problem (such as conjunctivitis or styes), or a query, discuss the matter with your GP, pharmacist or community optician.

If you attend Eye Casualty, please avoid driving as we will potentially need to dilate your pupils, which will blur your vision for several hours. Also please be mindful this is an emergency service and, as such, you can experience long waiting times.

The department is open between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Friday, and 9am to 12.30pm at the weekend and bank holidays. We are closed on Christmas and New Year's Day. Out of these hours please visit the Emergency Department for urgent eye treatment.