Eye problem

[emmie]

for nearly a month have had an eye problem, the left one seem quite dry and get this strange tic along with the feeling i want to close it to try and make things more comfortable. Plus the right one seems to be going the same way. No idea what's going on or whether to seek help. Had assumed it would have gone by now.

[naomi24]

Book an eye test, em. The optician will be able to tell you if you need to see a doctor.

[emmie]

was going to try the local specsavers, should have done it already, but honestly thought this would go.

[naomi24]

Do it, Em. It's probably a dry eye condition which can be easily helped, but I'm not a doctor, so take a trip to Specsavers just to put your mind at ease.

[emmie]

thanks i will..

[Sqad]

If I remember correctly, you have other underlying medical problems and it is here that the cause of your "dry eye" may well be seated.

See your GP.

[naomi24]

Let me know how you get on, won't you?

[naomi24]

Sqad, I recently had a similar eye problem, and my GP told me to get my eyes checked by an optician and then go back to him if necessary - which is why I advised em to see an optician first.

[emmie]

firstly it's not just dry, second three weeks has been quoted for GP appointment, and third the opticians can't do eye test as had one about 6 months ago, or pay them oodles for a health check. I wouldn't bother if it had been a few days or a week, but a month on and it's more than a blasted irritant.

[emmie]

had conjunctivitis before, which lasted months, and once ended up at Moorfields after an accident at work, which necessitated a very unsightly patch for a week or two. I have waited for it to clear up, it hasn't and the medical option doesn't seem helpful. I will phone them tomorrow first thing, but if it's no go i will go back and wait in Moorfields.

[Eve]

I have gone to the opticians with eye problems before now. They have the special dye and equipment to examine your eyes better, especially for dryness, that your GP won't have.

Do you have the Red Eye service round where you are? My Specsavers has one and has been great before now. It's free on the NHS and they can prescribe drops for certain conditions. They can also send results to your GP who could then refer you if necessary. They can also advise whether you need to be seen more urgently eg an emergency eye clinic.

Even if they don't have that kind of service you could ask them if they have someone who can look at them for you. If it's bothering you that much then if you have to pay for an eye test rather than wait weeks for a doctor's appointment (who doesn't have equipment to examine your eye that closely anyway) then it might be money well spent, your eyes are important.

A pharmacist may be able to advise on drops which could help in the meantime.