Conjunctivitis Treatment in Holborn, London — from £8.99
Ways Pharmacy offers a pharmacist-led service for red, sticky or gritty eyes at our GPhC-registered pharmacy (premises number 9012227) at 77 Southampton Row, Holborn WC1 — around two minutes' walk from the British Museum. A pharmacist assesses whether your symptoms look bacterial, viral or allergic and recommends the right care. Many cases of conjunctivitis clear up without antibiotics, so you will only be offered antibiotic eye drops or ointment if they are likely to help. You can start online or visit us in person, and we can help in English or Chinese (中文).
Conjunctivitis treatment at a glance
| Treatment options | Chloramphenicol (氯霉素) antibiotic eye drops or eye ointment for likely bacterial conjunctivitis; lubricating eye drops for symptom relief; hygiene and self-care advice |
|---|---|
| Price | From £8.99 for chloramphenicol eye ointment · lubricating eye drops from £4.99 — no separate consultation fee; full refund if no medicine is supplied |
| Who it is for | Adults and children aged 2 and over with mild to moderate symptoms of acute conjunctivitis and no warning signs |
| How it works | Order online and speak with a pharmacist by phone or video, or walk in to our Holborn pharmacy. Under-18s can use the online service with a parent or guardian on the video call |
| Pharmacist assessment | Required. Treatment is supplied only if the pharmacist confirms it is suitable for you |
| Where and when | 77 Southampton Row, London WC1B 4ET · Monday to Friday, 9:00am–6:00pm |
| Language | English and Chinese (中英文服务) |
Order chloramphenicol eye ointment — pharmacist check included or call 020 8106 7084.
Treatment options and prices
| Option | What it is | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chloramphenicol 1% eye ointment, 4g | Antibiotic eye ointment, applied inside the lower eyelid 3 to 4 times a day for 5 days. May be suggested if a bacterial infection is likely | £8.99 | Chloramphenicol eye ointment |
| Chloramphenicol 0.5% eye drops, 10ml | Antibiotic eye drops: 1 drop every 2 hours for the first 48 hours, then 4 times a day, for 5 days in total | £9.99 | Chloramphenicol eye drops |
| Lubricating eye drops (hypromellose 0.3%) | Soothing drops for grittiness and irritation, including viral conjunctivitis where antibiotics will not help | from £4.99 | Hypromellose eye drops |
| Advice only | Most viral conjunctivitis settles on its own. The pharmacist explains eye hygiene and when to seek further help | Free | — |
The pharmacist recommends one option based on your symptoms. Antibiotics are only offered when bacterial infection is likely, in line with responsible antibiotic use.
Who can use this service
- Adults and children aged 2 and over (for anyone under 18, a parent or guardian gives consent and joins the video call)
- Red or pink eye with discharge, a gritty feeling or crusty eyelids, especially in the morning
- Mild to moderate symptoms that started recently, with no warning signs listed below
The pharmacist takes extra care, and may recommend a GP or optician instead, if you wear contact lenses, are pregnant or breastfeeding, take other medicines, or the cause of your symptoms is unclear.
When you should see a GP or get urgent help instead
Pharmacy treatment is not suitable, and you should get help from a GP, an optician, NHS 111 or an eye casualty service, if you have:
- Severe eye pain, or pain that is getting worse
- Blurred or reduced vision, or other changes in your sight
- Sensitivity to light
- Intense redness in one or both eyes
- An eye injury, or something stuck in your eye
- Symptoms linked to contact lens wear
- Conjunctivitis that keeps coming back or has lasted a long time
- A weakened immune system
- A known allergy to chloramphenicol or other ingredients
- A baby under 2 years old with eye symptoms
If you develop sudden loss of vision or severe pain, seek urgent medical care. Call 999 in an emergency.
How it works
- Choose your medicine and pay. Each treatment in the table above can be ordered on its own page.
- Complete the online health questionnaire and confirm your identity. After payment you fill in a health questionnaire. We confirm your identity by asking you to upload photo ID, or by checking your ID on a video call.
- The pharmacist speaks with you by phone or video to confirm whether treatment is suitable.
- If suitable, your medicine is posted or ready to collect. Orders approved by the pharmacist before 3:00pm on a working day are posted the same day — see our shipping information for delivery options and charges. You can also collect from Holborn once your order has been approved. If treatment is not suitable — including when the pharmacist gives advice only — you receive a full refund.
If the medicine you choose is not suitable, the pharmacist may suggest another option or give you a full refund. For anyone under 18, a parent or guardian must join the video call.
You can also walk in during opening hours and be assessed in person in our private consulting room.
Why choose Ways Pharmacy
- Assessment by a GPhC-registered pharmacist, online or in person
- Treatment prices shown before you start, with no separate consultation fee
- Antibiotics only when they are likely to help
- Consultation and advice in Chinese (中文) or English
- Central London location near the British Museum, Holborn and Russell Square stations
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if conjunctivitis is bacterial or viral?
Bacterial conjunctivitis often causes thick yellow or green discharge and eyelids that are stuck together in the morning. Viral conjunctivitis tends to cause watery discharge and often follows a cold. Allergic conjunctivitis is usually very itchy and affects both eyes. The pharmacist will ask about your symptoms to work out the most likely cause.
Do I need antibiotics for conjunctivitis?
Often not. Most conjunctivitis gets better on its own within 1 to 2 weeks. Chloramphenicol is offered only where a bacterial infection is likely. Viral conjunctivitis does not respond to antibiotics.
How do I use chloramphenicol eye drops?
Wash your hands, gently pull down the lower eyelid and put 1 drop inside it, without touching the eye with the dropper tip. Use 1 drop every 2 hours for the first 48 hours, then 4 times a day, for 5 days in total. Throw the bottle away once the course is finished.
How quickly will it get better?
Most people notice improvement within 2 to 3 days. If your symptoms have not improved after 3 to 5 days, get worse, or you develop pain or changes in vision, seek medical advice.
Can I wear contact lenses?
No. Stop wearing contact lenses until your symptoms have fully cleared and you have finished any treatment. If your symptoms started while wearing lenses, see an optician or doctor, because lens-related infections need a different assessment.
Can children use this service?
Yes, children aged 2 and over can be assessed online or in store. A parent or guardian must join the video call. Babies under 2 with eye symptoms should see a GP.
What are the side effects of chloramphenicol?
Brief stinging is common. The ointment can blur vision for a short time after use. Allergic reactions are uncommon. Stop using it and seek advice if your eye becomes more irritated or swollen.
How can I stop conjunctivitis spreading?
Wash your hands often, avoid rubbing your eyes, clean away discharge with cotton wool and clean water, and do not share towels, pillows or eye make-up.
Is this an NHS service?
No. Ways Pharmacy Holborn is a private pharmacy and does not provide NHS services.
Related services: cold sore treatment · sore throat treatment · ear infection treatment
Suspected side effects can be reported through the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.
This page gives factual information about pharmacy services and medicines. Any medicine is supplied only after a pharmacist has assessed that it is suitable for you.
Ways Pharmacy
77 Southampton Row, Holborn, London WC1B 4ET
Telephone: 020 8106 7084
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9:00am–6:00pm, closed Saturday and Sunday
Around 2 minutes' walk from the British Museum, near Holborn station
GPhC-registered pharmacy premises: 9012227 · About Ways Pharmacy
