What Constitutes an Eye Care Emergency?

Having a regular eye examination is important in maintaining good vision and eye health. Eye emergencies are another reason you may need to visit your eye specialist. They can happen when a foreign object or harmful chemical enters your eye. Pain is what usually urges patients to seek medical attention. Pain is usually one of the major indications of infection or inflammation.

If you sustain an eye injury, you should immediately see your physician or eye doctor. Keep in mind that without proper care and treatment, an eye injury could potentially cause irreversible vision loss. The sooner you get treated, the better.

Here are some signs of an eye injury:

Different Pupil Sizes

Different sized pupils (pupil aniscoria) can be in-born or develop later in life due to eye trauma or a medical condition. It can be a symptom of head trauma, a stroke or a brain tumor. This is why it’s important to get your eyes checked when you observe an obvious difference in your pupil size. 

Obvious Vision Changes

You should let your optician or eye doctor know if your vision changes. Sudden vision changes can be a symptom of retinal or corneal damage that can cause permanent vision loss when left untreated. You may be experiencing retinal detachment if you’re seeing floating spots within the eye or flashing lights. Vision changes can also be a symptom of stroke, nerve damage and other neurological problems.

Another condition linked to vision loss is temporal arteritis. It’s where the temporal arteries that bring blood to the head and brain get inflamed or damaged. Along with fever, sufferers usually experience pain in the temples, head, hips and when chewing. Corneal swelling or infection can also trigger sudden vision loss.

Chemical Burns and Foreign Bodies

Flush out your eye with saline or water for at least 15 minutes if chemicals get into your eye. Make sure to remove your contact lenses first. Never apply another chemical or substance to your eyes and don’t bandage your eye.

As much as possible, don’t rub your eye when a particle gets into it. Attempt to let your tears flush out the foreign body or flush it with saline solution or artificial tears. A continuous stream of saline solution directed at the particle may be able to remove it from the eye surface. If the particle remains, keep your eye shut, bandage it lightly and see your eye doctor. Some particles can leave rusting spots on the eye when not treated promptly.

Traumatic Eye Injury

Traumatic eye injuries are usually caused by an object entering the eye. Signs of serious eye injuries can include redness, light sensitivity, double vision, swelling and pain. A burn on the eye also requires prompt treatment from a specialist. When left untreated, eye injuries can result in permanent vision loss.

Following an eye trauma, place a cold compress gently over the eye without applying pressure to reduce swelling and pain. Immediate medical care is necessary when there is severe pain or reduced vision. Don’t wash out your eye or try to remove any item that has punctured the eye. Instead, cover the eye with a firm shield and seek treatment from a physician or eye doctor immediately.

Red Eye

Red eye with discharge should be checked by an eye care professional as soon as possible. ER centers typically prescribe antibiotics. Pink eye or conjunctivitis is common in young children and is usually viral and transmissible. Around 80 percent of acute infectious pink eye cases are viral, which is why it should be treated right away.

In rare cases, pink eye can be caused by uveitis or ocular herpes, which can lead to blindness if not treated promptly. Eye redness should be assessed by a specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Bulging Eyes

Different conditions can cause your eyes to bulge. Injury to the eye socket or damaged blood vessels behind the eyes can cause them to bulge. This can also be a symptom of Graves’ disease and eye socket issues, such as inflammation, bacterial infections or tumors.

An eye bulge caused by a bacterial infection should be treated promptly. When not addressed, the infection can spread from the socket and into the brain, resulting in orbital cellulitis. This can cause permanent vision loss.

Glaucoma and Family History

Certain eye conditions, such as glaucoma don’t manifest symptoms until their later stages. This is why it’s important to regularly visit a specialist for an eye exam. Ask if anyone in your family has the eye condition and tell your eye doctor about it.

Other Signs That You Need to See Your Eye Doctor

According to the American Optometric Association, you should seek medical attention if you’re experiencing light sensitivity, severe itching, sudden severe headaches, bleeding around the eye and burning or stinging. You also need to contact an eye specialist if one of your eyes is moving in an unusual way, you’re experiencing decreased vision or there is discharge.

Eye Safety Tips

When You’re at Home

Some cleaning supplies have hazardous contents that may harm your eyes. To keep your eyes safe while cleaning the house, wear safety glasses or goggles when using chemical cleaners. Avoid mixing solutions and always read labels and follow instructions. Be careful not to spray bottles in the direction of your eyes and be mindful of the breeze. If possible, clean in properly ventilated areas.

Keep your face away from hot oils and fats in case of splashes. Be careful when using shears and knives. Consider wearing goggles when preparing and cooking spicy foods, such as chilies. Don’t touch your eyes after chopping chilies, onions or other food items with strong residue.

When You’re at Work

You spend most of your day facing digital screens like computers, phones, and tablets. Don’t forget to take a break from time to time to prevent eye strain. You can practice the 20-20-20 rule, where you look 20 feet away from your computer for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. Remember to blink frequently to keep your eyes moist.

Also, you should limit the time you spend playing video games with strobing light effects. Maintain proper posture when using the computer to prevent neck pain, eye strain, and headaches. Working in a well-lit place is more comfortable for the eyes.

For the Kids

Children are curious and love to get into places where they shouldn’t be. For young children, the biggest risks come from toys that aren’t suitable for their age. Place any dangerous and hazardous items inside closed containers and out of their reach. Teach your kids about the importance of eye safety.

Be mindful of the toys they are playing with. Purchase toys that are less likely to shatter or break. Beware of toys like guns and slingshots. Too much video gaming and computer use may not be good for the eyes of children. Make sure your children take frequent breaks from digital device use.