Sign for Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Centre

COVID-19 Update

Eye Casualty has made plans to ensure the safety of both patients and staff.

Patients need to ring Eye Casualty before attending the department. Please be ready to answer the following questions:

  • What is your age?
  • How long have you had the eye symptom(s)?
  • How is your visual status?
  • Do you have any symptoms of cough, shortness of breath, fever, history of diabetes and/or obstructive airway disease?

When attending Eye Casualty don’t walk-in, please press the bell and wait for someone to attend to the door. After this you will have an initial assessment performed by either a Nurse Practitioner or a Doctor. The team will decide if it is appropriate for you to be booked in, triaged and treated.

Please note:

  • If you have symptoms such as a high temperature or a new, continuous cough please DO NOT attend Eye Casulty. Visit the NHS 111 website for advice.
  • Relatives are not allowed in Eye Casualty (exception for children or people that might have difficulty communicating).
  • Closing times might change on a daily basis due to staffing levels, ring the department for further information.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Eye Casualty

Eye Casualty is a service that treats patients with emergency eye problems. The service is based in the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Centre on A Floor at QMC campus.

Eye Casualty opens at 7am and closes at 10pm.

Please contact the department before attending. This helps staff to manage waiting time and make sure that, if specialist tests are needed, patients attend when these tests can be carried out. As the service moves to main ED, from 10pm patients left in the department may be moved there, if staff are unable to provide adequate care before that time, hence contact us if you are attending.

Any conditions that have been ongoing for a long time need to be discussed with your GP. Some GPs are able to refer their patients to community eye doctors, where you can have a booked appointment closer to home.

If you think you have a minor eye problem (such as conjunctivitis or sties), or a query, please consider discussing the matter with your GP, pharmacist or community optician.

When attending Eye Casualty:

  • There are several clinics running at any time so do not be concerned if you are not seen in the order you have arrived.
  • If you are attending the department as a patient, please do not drive to the department as you may need eye drops that will prevent you from driving for a minimum of six hours afterwards.
  • You will be booked by the receptionist and wait to be triaged by a nurse.  This nurse will inform you of the plan, whether you need to be seen by a Nurse Practitioner, a Doctor or discharge you to the appropriate department.