FAO SQUAD - eye injury

Ann | 20:11 Sat 26th May 2012 | Health & Fitness

27 Answers

My hubby has injured his eye whilst gardening, cutting a confer and ivy hedge back and fell right into it off the steps!!! Luckily he didn't break any bones, only a gash on his leg but a branch must have scratched his cornea as its very sore, but it's not red and he can see ok. I know he will need antibiotic drops/ cream really in case of infection (as he did it once abroad with grains of sand) My question is, its 9pm on Saturday - no doctors are open or chemists - can we treat it at home -would it be ok to use an eye bath with weak salt water or diluted milk (one of my Mum's old remedies!) What do you advise please Sqad - until he can get to casualty (if it doesn't get better by tomorrow) Thanks! Ann

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ladyalex

I'd give your local A&E a ring and ask their advice.
If you went now, it would probably not be too busy. Eyes are precious....

sherrardk

When I had a bad eye I went to A & E (but I think ours has a specialist eye bit). As Lady A says, you can't mess around with eyes. (when himself hurt his eye (a brick fell downa chimeny and hit him in the eye) the quacks were so worried about it becoming infected that they wouldn't let him have painkillers as they wanted him to feel the pain so he would know if it was getting worse.)

Ann

Question Author

Thanks for your quick replies - bit scared now, will tell him!

Eve

Ouch, I did that once after a branch incident! I think my optician sorted it.

Have you got anyone open under the Red Eye service? Usually opticians who can prescribe certain stuff, not sure if they open late though.

Are there any late opening or 24 hour supermarkets about which may have a pharmacy, not sure how late they are staffed though, you could ring and see?

mrs_overall

I'd suggest giving NHS Direct a ring. I know if it was me I woulod be off to A&E pronto

Eve

Our local hospital has it's own eye bit where you can get seen out of main A&E I think for eye stuff. It's a huge hospital though with a very large eye department but maybe somewhere local might have one? Whereabouts are you?

NHS Direct might be able to suggest the best local place?

Ann

Question Author

Thanks Jenna but we have no large supermarkets around here like that, we are only a small town. Our nearest Walk- In Health A&E Centre is 16 miles away and I don't drive. He is being really insistent he doesn't want to drive over there tonight and says he will see how it is in the morning, he is so stubborn, but I can't persuade hum - MEN!!!!!! :(

Ann

Question Author

An update - thanks Mrs O too - I have phoned NHS Direct, surprised as its a real kerfuffle to get through, no hold music so you think you are cut off etc etc but anyway at the third attempt i spoke to someone and had to give all his details but this kind telephonist wasn't a qualified nurse and she bypassed the system as they are "only taking real emergencies tonight" and went to find a "clinical lead" who advised that he somehow gets to A& E tonight. But he insists its now getting better and he will wait to see what its like tomorrow .......... I give up, can't do any more! Thanks everyone :)

mrs_overall

If he wont go to A&E tonight, can I suggest he puts a patch or bandage over the eye to keep it closed and prevent further damage/infection

rsvp

my suggestion is that you thoroughly irrigate the eye with a weak saline solution - cover the eye with a protective dressing and forget about it until the morning - it may well be better but if not you'll be able to get hold of a medic.

stokemaveric

well i think he is being a little TOO stubborn ann86,but i guess im the same with injuries and the like but with it being his eye [and if it was me] id get to the a and e asap...you only have 1 pair of eyes...hope he goes on ok...

Ann

Question Author

I know, I know Stokey - I've told him but its his eye I suppose - he is stubborn just like his Dad was! But seriously I think if he was that worried he would go, it's just me whittling as usual!!!

Ann

Question Author

I did ask NHS Direct about using the weak saline solution but they wouldn't commmit themselves on that one - are you in the medical profession rsvp? If so, I will take your advice re: saline and let him use it in an eyebath and then cover it ...

anneasquith

he"s an adult, if he refuses to seek medical attention thats his choice !

masma

Mmmmm .... Mr M walked into a branch 6 ish years ago and scratched his cornea.. didn't really think much about it at the time but it was so sore that he went to A+E 2 days later. Long story cut short.. he's still suffering, on and off to this day, he wakes up with a 'dry eye' that takes a while to settle. Doc says there's now't they can do so my advice would be get it sorted asap.

anneasquith

hi masma, i hope all is well.

Sqad

It beats me and i will NEVER understand why people advice NHS direct...a total waste of time and taxpayers money.

I agree with mrs_O....if you have some lubricating drops, then pop a few of those in and cover with an eye pad. by the time that you read this, it should feel much better and A&E visit will be unnecessary. If it is no better OR worse, then drop into A&E.

masma

Hi Anne... not too bad ta, one day at a time and all that. Thanks for asking xxx

Ellipsis

"an eye bath with diluted milk" - can anybody comment on the efficacy of this old wives' remedy as in our experience it leads to serious eye infection and three nights in hospital ...