"Visit to A&E while on holiday"

I have had “floaters” in my right eye for about three weeks previously.

I had been to my optician for a routine check up and mentioned the floaters. He examined the eye and said there doesn’t appear to be any sinister, just normal wear as we get older. 

He did advise that if is started to see flashing lights, to go A&E straight away.

On the Monday morning after breakfast on holiday, I started to see flashing lights.

I called my opticians, they advised to to to A&E as it could be my retina starting to become detached.

As I was on holiday I decided to speak to 111. They gave me a refer to the Barnstaple A&E.

I went to the dept, was triaged and the nurse couldn’t see anything obvious but said she would try to get me into Ophthalmic Dept so they could have a proper look behind my eye.

They saw me within 3 hours and said I was better for me to have had a proper examination rather than leave it, they said it was nothing to be worried about at this time but if it happens again to go to A&E.

Overall it was a long wait, over 6 hours in all, lost a days holiday but very pleased that my eye was examined.

The staff at the Barnstable hospital we outstanding, very kind, understanding and went the extra mile to help.