On Saturday, March 24th, I went to work as usual at 7:30am. The day was long but nothing unusual until around 3:00pm my left eye began to itch. When I checked the mirror, my eyelid was red and swollen. I didn’t think much about it until three days later my eye was in the same condition. I tried eye drops and hot compresses to reduce the swelling, but another three days later my eye was the same.
On Friday, March 30th, I decided to go to an eye clinic and much to my surprise the process from check in to picking up my medication was quick (about an hour and a half) and affordable (11,000 yen including medication). I did not make an appointment. I did not even have to show my alien registration card (I had it though). The nurse checked my vision, then I saw the doctor. He wrote a prescription for three medications that I picked up at a pharmacy directly next to the clinic.
Although I speak Japanese, I am not fluent and going to a clinic where at least some English is spoken was a priority. I found the clinic I went to on the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Medical Information Center website. It has a database of clinics and hospitals in Tokyo where English and other languages are spoken.
If you’re wondering, my eye was not the result of hay fever. I had a bacterial infection. So, if you have the unfortunate experience of suddenly having a health problem, do not fear! Check the website and see a doctor.