Eye Emergency service (Eye Casualty)

Eye Casualty is a specialist department for patients with eye emergencies only. Our team is made up of doctors, nurses, optometrists & health care assistants. Waiting times can vary depending on clinical priority and the number of patients in the department & can be up to 4 hours or longer. This is an emergency service, patients are seen in priority of clinical need, and degree of urgency.

Important: if you have a severe eye injury, including chemical splash injuries, please go straight to the Leicester Royal Infirmary Emergency Department. Should you require emergency attention outside of Eye Casualty opening hours, go to the Emergency Department where you may be seen by an on-call doctor if needed.

Emergency eye care only

Eye casualty a specialist unit for eye emergencies only and is not a ‘walk-in’ clinic for general eye concerns. If you do not have an eye emergency we will advise you to see your GP or optician.

When to use eye casualty

Eye Casualty treats serious, urgent eye conditions, including:

• Sudden loss of vision
• Red, painful eyes
• Eye trauma or injuries

Patients are seen based on clinical urgency, not order of arrival. The average wait time is 2 to 4 hours, but it can be longer depending on patient volume and case severity.

If you need to speak to someone in eye casualty department regarding any treatment, please call 0116 258 6273.

When NOT to use eye casualty

Please do not attend Eye Casualty for the following:

• Second opinions: contact your GP.
• Repeat prescriptions: see your GP.
• Non-urgent symptoms (e.g., itchy eyes, dry eyes, hay fever): visit a pharmacist or optician.
• Cataract issues: speak with your optician for outpatient referral.
• Questions about eye clinic appointments: please contact your consultant’s secretary. Eye Casualty cannot speed up or change appointments.

Before you arrive

If you are advised to attend Eye Casualty:

• Please do NOT drive yourself: you may need pupil-dilating drops which can blur your vision for up to 4 hours.
• Bring:
  • Your current glasses/spectacles
  • A list of prescribed medications and any eye drops/ointments
  • Information on allergies you may have
  • Your latest optician’s report (if available)

What to expect at Eye Casualty

1. Triage: You’ll be assessed to confirm your issue is an eye emergency.
2. Initial checks: Vision and eye pressure tests by the nursing team.
3. Assessment: A qualified nurse or eye doctor will evaluate and treat your condition. Depending on the nature of the problem, the nurse may treat and advise you, or you may have to wait longer to see the eye doctor. Additional staff may assist, such as orthoptists, visual field technicians, and medical photographers.
4. Investigations: May include dilating eye drops – these will blur your vision temporarily.