Most emergencies bring to mind a hospital ER and needing immediate treatment. But what about eye emergencies?
Although our eyes are resilient, there are eye conditions that can put them in severe danger. Keep reading to learn more about eye condition emergencies and what to do if you experience one!
Emergency Eye Conditions
Our eyes are delicate, but they also put up with a lot of abuse. Our internal organs have the protection of our skin and skeletal structures. The eyes don’t have the same luxury.
They are up front and center, exposed to dust, debris, and dangerous chemicals with every blink. If you are in pain and unsure if you have an eye emergency, see a doctor to be safe. It could be a false alarm, but playing with the welfare of your eyes isn’t smart.
Before you start panicking, contact your regular eye doctor. Your eye doctor will be able to tell you what number to call, who to ask for, and where you should go for immediate treatment.
What To Look For
There are many eye conditions and symptoms that are emergency eye conditions. These include:
- Any trauma to one of your eyes, or both
- A foreign object in the eye
- Pain in the eyes that is persistent, recurring, or both
- Pain in the eyes accompanied by redness
- Blood as discharge from the eye or both eyes
- Vision loss, either partial or complete
- Loss of color perspective
- Sudden dimness of vision
- A noticeable increase of floaters in the eyes
- Exposure to steam that results in a burn
- Burn from exposure to chemicals
- Double vision
- Sudden sensitivity to light
- Swelling of the eye or eyes
- Sudden obscured vision, cloudy vision
- A laceration in the eye
- Seeing flashes of light in your field of vision
- If one pupil becomes larger than the other
What Not To Do
It can be tempting but do not attempt to treat or take care of an eye emergency by yourself. While sudden symptoms may be nothing, you’re much better off safe than sorry.
Our vision is one of the most precious senses we have! Don’t regret your decisions because you were afraid to see a doctor.
If your eyes are bothering you, don’t use eye drops or medications. What treats one condition may not help another. Any attempts to self-medicate your eyes are likely to cause you pain, or damage.
This is especially true if there is a foreign object in your eye. Trying to rub it out may cause it to get deeper into your eye. You’re much better off seeking emergency care from a professional.
Your Emergency Eye Visit
The purpose of your emergency eye visit is to identify the immediate threat. After the threat identification, treatment or removal will be discussed. Any pain resulting from identified eye conditions will also be addressed.
Once your eyes have been taken care of, you can return home to rest. Depending on your eye emergency, you may need a follow-up appointment with your eye doctor.
Have questions about an eye emergency or your eye care needs? Schedule an appointment with Riverside Eye in Auburn or Norway, ME today!