Same-Day Eye & Ear Care
Same-day assessment of eye infections, foreign bodies in the eye, earache, suspected ear infections, and sudden hearing changes — by experienced emergency medicine doctors. Adults and children aged 1 and over.
Adult consultation £110 · child consultation £95. For sudden vision loss, severe eye pain with photophobia, chemical or penetrating eye injury, severe ear pain with swelling behind the ear, or facial weakness — call 999or attend A&E or eye casualty directly.
When We Can Help
Common eye and ear presentations we see same-day. For severe symptoms or red-flag features — A&E or eye casualty:
Red, sticky, watering eye(s) with discharge — examination, differentiation between bacterial, viral, and allergic conjunctivitis, and treatment per NICE guidance.
Something in the eye that won't wash out — examination with fluorescein staining where indicated, removal of suitable foreign bodies on site, and onward referral to ophthalmology if needed.
Acute ear pain in adults or children — otoscopy examination, antibiotic decision per NICE NG91 if suspected bacterial otitis media, pain management plan.
Outer-ear infection ("swimmer's ear") — pain, itch, discharge — examination, ear-cleaning advice, topical antibiotic where indicated.
New hearing loss, especially with pain, fullness, or recent illness — examination, suspected wax assessment, urgent ENT referral if sudden sensorineural hearing loss is suspected.
Symptoms that could indicate something more serious — examination, but for sudden visual loss or photophobia with severe pain, A&E or eye casualty is the right service.
Important Safety Information
Some eye and ear presentations need ophthalmology, ENT, or A&E directly. Call 999 or attend A&E / eye casualty if any of these apply:
For ear infection treatment, we follow NICE NG91 (acute otitis media). For sudden hearing loss, see NICE NG98 (hearing loss). If unsure, call NHS 111.
Call 999Your Visit
When symptoms started, recent illness, eye or ear injuries, occupational exposure (welders, grinders, swimmers), and any vision or hearing changes. Visual acuity check for eye presentations, hearing assessment for ear presentations.
Slit-lamp where available, fluorescein staining for suspected corneal abrasion or foreign body. Otoscopy for ear examination, with assessment of the tympanic membrane and ear canal. Tuning-fork tests where indicated for hearing changes.
Transparent Pricing
Consultation fee: £110 adult / £95 child — covers examination, fluorescein staining where indicated, otoscopy.
Foreign body removal (where suitable): bundled into the consultation; additional materials if needed charged at cost.
Prescription medication (eye drops, ear drops, oral antibiotics if needed): private prescription via on-site pharmacy.
Time on site: typically 20–40 minutes for routine assessment.
Insurance: detailed receipts provided.
After Your Visit
Common Questions
If your eye is red and uncomfortable but you can see clearly and there's no severe pain or photophobia, we're the right service — we'll diagnose and treat conjunctivitis, dry eye, allergic eye disease, and surface foreign bodies. If you have severe pain, sudden loss of vision, photophobia, or eye injury from chemicals or high-velocity foreign body — go to A&E or eye casualty directly.
Most surface foreign bodies (dust, eyelashes, small particles) — yes, we can examine and remove them with fluorescein staining and gentle irrigation or removal techniques. Embedded foreign bodies, metal fragments from grinding, or anything penetrating the eye is for ophthalmology — we'd refer you immediately to eye casualty.
Where they're clinically indicated. Most viral conjunctivitis resolves on its own without antibiotics — we'd give you supportive advice (lubricating drops, hygiene measures). Bacterial conjunctivitis (typically more discharge, more redness, less itch) responds to topical antibiotics, and we'd prescribe these when warranted. Allergic conjunctivitis needs antihistamine drops, not antibiotics.
Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a medical urgency — best treated within 48 hours. Don't wait. We can examine you and refer urgently to ENT, but if there's any delay in being seen by us, contact ENT directly via your GP or A&E. Outcomes are better with early steroid treatment.
Yes — children aged 1 and over. Most childhood ear infections are managed with pain relief and a watch-and-wait approach (NICE NG91 supports this). Antibiotics are reserved for specific clinical features. We don't see children under 1; for younger infants with earache, contact your GP, NHS 111, or call 999 in an emergency.
We can examine and assess for impacted wax causing hearing problems, and offer advice on softening drops or arrange wax removal via a specialist (audiology / ENT) who has the appropriate equipment. For routine wax removal, an audiology clinic is a more efficient option than urgent care.
Walk In or Book Online
GMC-registered emergency medicine doctors. CQC registered, part of Centennial Medical Care.
Open seven days: Mon–Fri 8am–8pm · Sat–Sun 9am–6pm
Centennial Park, Centennial Ave, Elstree, Borehamwood WD6 3FG · Free parking
Last reviewed: 5 May 2026
Walk in 7 days a week or book online. Payment taken securely at the time of booking.
