What this tool is for

Eye problems can be hard to judge on your own. A red eye might be nothing more than tiredness or hay fever, or it might be something that needs seeing today. This tool gives you a quick sense of what could be behind your symptoms and how soon you should get help.

It is not a diagnosis and it does not replace a proper eye examination. Think of it as a sensible starting point before you decide whether to book an optician, ring 111, go to a GP, or head straight to A&E.

When you might want to use it

Use it if you have noticed something off with one or both eyes and you are not sure how worried to be. That might be redness, itching, watering, a gritty feeling, discharge, blurred vision, a headache behind the eyes, light sensitivity, or a lump on the lid. It also covers things like sudden floaters, flashes of light, or a curtain across your vision, which are the sort of symptoms people often put off checking.

It is aimed at adults looking at their own eyes, or parents checking a child. If you wear contact lenses and have pain or blurred vision, take the lenses out first and please do answer the questions honestly, as contact lens wear changes the urgency.

How it works

You answer a short set of questions about what you are experiencing, how it started, and any related factors like contact lenses, injury, or existing eye conditions. You then get a plain English summary of what your symptoms could point to, what to watch for, and a suggested next step, whether that is self care at home, booking with an optometrist, or seeking urgent care. Your answers are not stored against your name and the tool is free to use as often as you need.