Conditions

Start with what you notice.

Pick the description closest to your experience. None of this is a diagnosis; it simply helps us book you into the right clinic quickly.

Nine things patients describe

Each one links to a short, simple guide. The label on the right shows how quickly we would normally see you.

Lens

Cataract

Cloudy, misty or dulled vision. Colours look yellow and night driving is harder.

Routine

Macula

Wet macular degeneration

Straight lines look wavy or a dark patch appears in the centre. Needs a prompt check.

Prompt

Macula

Dry macular degeneration

Gradual thinning of the macula. Monitored, with clear advice on what to watch for.

Routine

Retina

Diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy

Vessel changes and swelling at the macula in people with diabetes. Often no symptoms early on.

Routine

Retina

Retinal vein occlusion

Sudden blurring in one eye after a blocked retinal vein.

Prompt

Lens

Posterior capsule opacification

Misty vision months or years after cataract surgery. Cleared with a quick laser.

Routine

Surface

Dry eye and blepharitis

Gritty, watery or tired eyes that drops alone rarely fix.

Routine

Eyelids

Chalazion and eyelid lumps

A lump or cyst on the eyelid, treated gently in clinic.

Routine

Urgent

Floaters and flashes

Usually harmless, sometimes urgent. Seen the same week to rule out a retinal tear.

Same week

When it cannot wait

Sudden loss of vision, a curtain across your sight, or a painful red eye with nausea need to be seen today. Go to Manchester Royal Eye Hospital Emergency Department, Oxford Road, open 24 hours, or call 999 if you are unwell.

Worried about a change in your sight?

Routine appointments within one to two weeks; urgent symptoms the same week.