Recognizing Symptoms of an Eye Emergency and How to Respond

Your eyes are precious. They are your windows to the world, and when something goes wrong, it can be scary. But how do you know when that irritation is a minor nuisance or a full-blown emergency? It would help to learn how to spot the signs of an eye emergency and what to do when you face one.

Sudden Vision Changes

One minute, you are reading the newspaper; the next, everything is a blur. Sudden vision changes are a red flag. This could mean a detached retina, which needs immediate attention. If you experience abrupt blurriness, dark spots, or flashes of light, do not wait around, hoping it will clear up.

What to do: Call your eye doctor right away. If it is after hours, head to the emergency room. Time is of the essence with retinal detachment, and quick action could save your sight.

Severe Eye Pain

Eyes are not supposed to hurt. A little irritation from dust or allergies is one thing, but severe pain is your body’s way of communicating that something is wrong. Intense eye pain could signal anything from a corneal ulcer to acute glaucoma.

What to do: Do not try to tough it out. Seek medical help immediately. Avoid rubbing your eye or trying to “wash out” whatever is causing the pain. You might make things worse.

Chemical Exposure

Did you splash something in your eye while cleaning? Perhaps a worksite accident led to chemical exposure. This is an eye emergency. Chemicals can cause severe damage in minutes.

What to do: Flush your eye with clean water for at least 15 minutes. Keep your eye open as much as possible during rinsing. Then, get medical help right away, even if you think you rinsed it all out.

Foreign Object Stuck in the Eye

Do you have something in your eye that will not come out with a few blinks? It could be a foreign object. This is not just annoying; it can scratch your cornea if not handled properly.
 

What to do: Do not rub your eye. Try gently flushing it with clean water. If that does not work, keep your eyes closed and seek medical help. Do not try to remove the object with tweezers or cotton swabs – leave that to the professionals.
 

Trauma to the Eye

Did you take a tennis ball to the eye? Or maybe you walked into a door. Any direct hit to the eye can cause severe damage, even if it does not hurt much at first.
 

What to do: Apply a cold compress gently to reduce swelling, but do not put pressure on the eye. Then, get it checked out, especially if you notice vision changes or continued pain.
 

Severe Redness or Swelling

While a bit of redness from lack of sleep or allergies is normal, severe redness or swelling is not. This could signal infection or inflammation that needs treatment.
 

What to do: See an eye doctor as soon as possible. In the meantime, avoid wearing contact lenses and do not use eye drops unless prescribed by a doctor.
 

Remember, your eyes are irreplaceable. When it comes to eye emergencies, it is always better to be safe than sorry. If you are unsure whether your situation is an emergency, err on the side of caution and seek medical advice.

For more on eye emergencies, visit Metro Eye Care at our Edwardsville, Illinois, office. Call (618) 659-1900 to schedule an appointment today.