Emergency

If it just happened, call now.

Do not wait for a form or an appointment. Phone us, describe what happened, and we will tell you exactly what to do next.

090909 93399 090909 91199

Come in immediately

Signs that cannot wait.

Any of these needs to be seen the same day. Delay is what turns a treatable injury into permanent loss.

Chemical splash of any kind — acid, alkali, lime, detergent or solvent
A penetrating injury, or anything embedded in the eye
Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
A curtain, shadow or shower of new floaters across your vision
Severe eye pain with redness, vomiting or halos around lights
Blunt trauma with blurred vision, bleeding or a change in pupil shape
A white spot on the cornea with pain and watering, especially in contact lens wearers

First aid

Chemical splash — irrigate first, travel secondRinse the eye with clean running water or saline continuously for at least 15–20 minutes, holding the lids open. This matters more than getting to hospital quickly. Then call us while you continue.
Do not rub, press or bandage tightlyPressure can force contents out of a perforated eye. Shield it loosely instead — a paper cup taped over the eye is ideal.
Do not try to remove an embedded objectIf something is stuck in the eye, leave it exactly where it is and come in.
Do not use leftover dropsOld steroid or anaesthetic drops can make an infection or ulcer dramatically worse.
Remove contact lenses only if easyIf a lens will not come out readily, leave it and tell us on arrival.
Bring what you canThe chemical bottle, your current medication list, and previous eye records help us act faster.