We provide an Acute Referral Service (ARC) service (also known as the Eye Emergency Referral Service).

Our team offer emergency treatment for urgent, sight-threatening problems only. You will be advised to see a suitable alternate provider if the symptoms are not classed as urgent and sight threatening.
 

Sometimes we will treat your condition straight away, but sometimes we might decide to refer you to one of our more specialist services for further tests and treatment, or refer you to your General Practitioner or Optometrist. Due to the nature of emergency/ urgent conditions to the eye, we advise you NOT to drive if you are attending as we may instil eye drops which will blur your vision, which in turn will mean that you will be unable to drive for a few hours following the assessment.

As part of the assessment we may need to undertake diagnostic tests to help treat you; these tests may not be available on the day and we may need to bring you back on another day. Due to the nature of emergencies, if a serious emergency does present to the team we may need to re-prioritise certain patients which may lead to an increase length of stay in the department The Eye Emergency Referral Service is not for second opinions, repeat prescriptions or non-urgent problems such as dry eyes, itchy eyes, hay fever and cataracts.

If you need a repeat prescription please see your GP. We are unable to issue repeat prescriptions. Paediatric guidance In the case of an emergency (sight threatening or painful eye), your child will be offered a booked face-to-face appointment on the same day. If an emergency situation is confirmed during the assessment your child will also be seen by a doctor. The decision about the urgency of your child’s eye condition will be based on clinical expertise and will take everything about your child into account. It is important that the decision made by the trained staff is respected as the best choice of care for the child.

If you have an urgent eye condition, please click this link to book a telephone consultation at the Eye Emergency Referral Service (EERS) using the Swiftqueue system.

You will need either your NHS number or hospital number to register for this clinic. You can only book a telephone consultation for the same day.

At the time of your appointment you will be spoken to by an expert clinician who will give you specialist advice on the next steps to take.

Please provide a phone number which you can be contacted on. Be aware that you will be phoned as close to the allotted time as possible, although at busy times there may be a delay.

Please also consider emailing a photograph of your affected eye(s) to EERS@uhcw.nhs.uk so that this may be used during your consultation.

In the event you feel you cannot wait to speak to someone, call 0247 696 4800.

This phone line is open 9am-1pm and 1.30pm-5pm (Monday-Friday excluding bank holidays) and 9am-12pm (Saturday). Waiting times may vary. We strongly encourage you to book an appointment where possible.

In the event of an eye emergency out of hours, please attend the Minor Injuries Unit/Emergency Department.

Please only attend the Eye Outpatient department if you have had a telephone consultation in advance and been advised to attend.

We are located in Clinic Nine at University Hospital, Coventry. If you have an urgent eye problem and are unable to see your community optician/GP please call 02476 964800. The operating hours for this telephone service are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (except between 1-1.30pm) and Saturday 9am to 12pm. If you have a vision threatening emergency outside of these hours please attend the Minor Injuries Unit/A&E.
Alternatively please consider calling an approved Eye Care Centre in the community. Click here for details.
 

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