Your eyes are delicate, and it’s not always easy to tell a minor irritation from a serious problem. Protecting your vision is a priority, so knowing how to recognize an eye emergency is crucial.
You should seek emergency eye care for any sudden changes to your vision, severe eye pain, a visible injury, or chemical exposure. These signs often point to a condition that needs a professional evaluation to prevent further issues.
Recognize the Signs of an Eye Emergency
Some symptoms are clear signs that you need to see a professional right away. Pay close attention if you experience any of the following, as they could point to a serious issue that affects your eye health:
- Sudden changes to your vision, including blurriness, wavy lines, or blind spots
- Flashes of light or a sudden increase in floaters
- A curtain-like shadow over your field of vision
- Severe or persistent eye pain
- A visible wound or cut on your eye or eyelid
- One eye that is swollen, red, or bulging
- Eyes not moving together
A curtain-like shadow or a sudden increase in flashes and floaters are particularly noteworthy, as they can be signs of a retinal detachment.
Symptoms That Require Prompt Attention
While some symptoms can seem mild on their own, their sudden appearance can signal an emergency. It’s important to have these assessed by an eye doctor as soon as possible to determine the cause and get the right care.
Sudden Vision Changes
If your vision changes suddenly, it’s a sign that something is wrong. This includes new or severe blurriness, seeing flashes of light, or noticing a lot of new floaters, the small specks that drift through your line of sight.
Severe Eye Pain or Headache
Intense pain in or around your eye, especially when paired with a headache or nausea, requires an immediate evaluation. These symptoms can sometimes be associated with acute glaucoma, a condition that needs prompt treatment to prevent total vision loss.
Redness with Other Symptoms
A red eye on its own may not be an emergency. But if the redness is accompanied by pain, light sensitivity, swelling, or discharge, it’s time to see a doctor. These symptoms can be signs of infection, inflammation, or other conditions that look like pink eye but require different treatment.
Eye Injuries & Foreign Objects
Accidents happen, and any injury to the eye should be taken seriously. Taking simple eye safety precautions at home can reduce your risk. Whether an injury is from a physical blow, a foreign object, or chemical exposure, quick action is important for your well-being.
If you get hit in the eye, you can apply a cold compress without putting pressure on the eyeball itself. If you see blood in the eye, have double vision, or experience significant pain, seek care right away. Do not try to remove any object that’s stuck in the eye.
If you splash a chemical in your eye, immediately flush it with cool, clean water for at least 15 minutes. Prompt irrigation can help prevent permanent damage from a chemical eye injury. It can feel uncomfortable, but keep your eyes open as wide as possible while you flush. After flushing, seek professional medical care to have the eye examined.
What to Avoid in an Eye Emergency
Your first instincts might not be the right course of action. To prevent further damage, it’s helpful to understand first aid for eye emergencies while you wait for professional help. Remember these important points:
- Do not rub or apply pressure to your eye.
- Do not try to remove an object embedded in your eye.
- Do not use tweezers or other tools in your eye.
- Do not wear contact lenses unless a chemical splash has occurred.
When to Visit an Eye Doctor vs the Hospital
For most eye emergencies, including scratches, foreign objects, infections, and sudden vision changes, an optometrist is well-equipped to handle them. We have the specialized tools to examine your eyes closely and provide specific treatment.
However, prompt action is crucial. If it’s after hours, you should visit a hospital emergency room for severe trauma, cuts to the eye, or if a chemical splashes in your eye.
We’re Here for You
Protecting your vision means knowing when to act. If you experience an eye issue, call our office immediately.
Protecting your vision is important to us, so we’re here and ready to help provide emergency eye care for your family when accidents happen.