When and where to access treatment for eye-related issues or conditions
In Hampshire and Isle Wight there are many different services available to help manage or treat eye related issues and conditions.
The right service depends on the severity of your symptoms. We want to ensure you have all the information available to access appropriate care, quickly. The drop-down menus below outline different eye issues or conditions and where to access treatment:
Visit your local community pharmacy for:
- Red, sore, or irritated eyes (including pink eye, conjunctivitis, and small eye bleeds)
- Dry, gritty, or uncomfortable eyes
- Watery or sticky eye discharge
- Headaches or migraines
- Eyelid issues (itchy, inflamed skin or styes)
- Eye symptoms linked to hay fever and allergies, e.g., itchy eyes.
Visit your local Urgent Treatment Centre for the following eye issues:
- Painful, watery eye following scratch on surface of the eye, with low impact/force
- Help with removing contact lenses
- Foreign body removal (something in the eye), e.g. grinding or gardening injury
- First aid for chemical splashes (moderate irritation, but not severe)
Call your local Eye Casualty or visit your nearest emergency department immediately, if you experience any of the following:
- High impact/force eye injury or chemical splash/burn
- Sudden vision changes with or without pain (loss of or blurred vision, flashing lights, shadows or increased floaters in vision)
- Severe eye pain, redness or infection (including contact lens-related issues)
- Possible serious eye conditions, e.g. brow ache with vomiting (acute glaucoma) or severe sensitivity to light/reduced vision (inflammation)
- Issues following eye surgery, such as increasing pain, redness, swelling, or vision loss, should be reported to the hospital or clinic where you had the surgery first
If you’re unsure where to go or do not meet the above criteria, contact NHS 111 (online or phone) for further advice.
Places offering treatment
If you are experiencing minor eye symptoms, visit your local pharmacy for expert advice and over the counter treatment.
Pharmacists are trained healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills to help with many health concerns. They can:
- Offer expert advice about minor health conditions.
- Help you choose the right treatment.
- Advise when you should seek further medical help.
You do not need an appointment to speak to a pharmacist.
For moderate symptoms visit your nearest Urgent Treatment Centre for fast access to treatment:
Andover War Memorial Hospital Minor Injury Unit: Charlton Rd, Andover, SP10 3LB
- The clinic offers a walk-in service, however patients are strongly advised to use NHS 111(online or phone) to arrange an appointment, as appointments take priority over walk-ins. This will reduce the likelihood of long wait periods.
- NHS 111 booked appointments: 8:15am – 6:00pm Monday to Friday
- Walk-in service: 8:15am – 4:00pm Monday to Friday (inc. bank holidays)
Frimley UTC: Frimley Park Hospital, Portsmouth Road, Camberley, GU16 7UJ
- Open: 10.00am-10.00pm every day
- Treats patients booked via NHS 111 (online or phone) and walk-ins assessed at the Emergency Department.
Gosport War Memorial Hospital UTC: Bury Rd, Gosport, PO12 3PW
- Open 8.00am-10.00pm every day
- NHS 111 (online or phone) is recommended as they may offer you an attendance time, this is not a booked appointment but should save you time when arriving at the UTC.
Isle of Wight UTC: St Mary’s Hospital, Newport, PO30 5TG
- Open: 8:00am – 12.00pm every day
- Note: It is not a walk-in service. Contact NHS 111 (online or phone) first to discuss your symptoms or injuries. An NHS advisor or healthcare professional will then advise you on the best service to help you.
Lymington UTC: Wellworthy Road, Lymington, SO41 8QD
Open: 8.00am-9.00pm every day. No appointment is required.
Petersfield UTC: Petersfield Community Hospital, Swan St, Petersfield, GU32 3LB
- Open: 8:00am – 8.00pm every day
- Recommended to use NHS 111 (online or phone) to book an appointment as this will reduce the waiting time.
- Walk-in patients without appointments will be clinically assessed by a triage nurse or other health professional.
Portsmouth UTC: Practice Plus Group, St Mary’s Health Campus, Portsmouth, PO3 6DW
- Open 8.00am-8.00pm every day. No appointment is required.
Southampton UTC: Royal South Hants Hospital, Brintons Terrace, Southampton, SO14 0YG
- Open Monday to Friday: 7.30am-10.00pm (Last patient accepted 9.30pm)
- Open weekends and bank holidays: 8.00am-10.00pm (Last patient accepted 9.30pm)
- Recommended to use NHS 111 (online or phone) to book an appointment as this will reduce the waiting time. You can also walk-in without an appointment.
If you are experiencing urgent symptoms requiring immediate attention call your local Eye Casualty or visit your closest Emergency Department (A&E):
Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth: Emergency cases should be discussed via the Eye Casualty line
- Emergency Eye Casualty line (call first): 023 9228 6162
- Open Mon–Fri 8.00am–4.30pm, Saturday 8am–12.30pm, Sunday - closed. Closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day
- Note: It is NOT a walk-in clinic, you must call first to be triaged.
Southampton General Hospital, Southampton: Emergency cases should be discussed via the Telephone Triage line.
- Telephone Triage (call first): 023 8120 6592
- Open Monday to Friday 8.00am–7.30pm, Weekends/Bank Holidays 8.00am–6.00pm
- Note: It is NOT a walk-in clinic, you must call first to be triaged
Emergency Department (A&E) Locations:
- Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Basingstoke
- Frimley Park Hospital, Frimley
- Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth
- Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester
- Southampton General Hospital, Southampton
- St Mary's Hospital, Isle of Wight
