In some areas of the country the NHS funds the high street opticians to assess, diagnose and treat minor eye conditions. This may be a dry eye, corneal scratch or other eye worry.
Sadly the NHS funding is area dependent or you have the option to pay privately to see you optician instead of waiting in Eye Casualty. Many red eyes can be treated at your local optician, if referral to an ophthalmologist (Eye Surgeon) is necessary your optician may be able to direct you to a faster service.
Recent reports show you can wait several hours in Accident and Emergency when this eye condition and many others can be assessed & treated at your local optician.
This photo was a patient I saw recently who scratched her eye gardening. It was treated simply with an eye gel applied 3 times a day and recovered within 1 week. The patient was seen promptly on arrival at the practice, treatment almost immediately. A one week follow up showed the abrasion to be completely healed.
