Emergency Eye Care
Knowing when you or a family member needs emergency eye care can be challenging. You do not want to rush in for every little thing, but you do not want to risk a healthy vision. At Clayton M. Anderson OD, we always prefer that our patients err on the side of caution and request a same-day exam for any new or uncomfortable eye health condition.
Common Eye Health Emergencies
Below are some of the top eye health emergencies and what you can do in the immediate aftermath before seeking treatment, as reported by the National Library of Medicine.
Blunt force trauma
Assaults and accidental trauma to the face can result in bruising and cuts around the eyes. You may even break blood vessels in your eyes or sustain scratches on your retina. We typically recommend applying a cold compress to the affected area to reduce swelling for a cut, scratch, or blow to the eye. If you notice blood in or around your eye, cover it with a clean gauze pad and contact our eye clinic immediately.
Chemicals or foreign objects in the eye
If you get some chemical in your eye, flush it with cool tap water immediately. You should place your head under a faucet and run the water for at least 15 minutes. If an object becomes embedded in the eye, such as a fishhook, do not attempt to remove it yourself. You could cause serious and lasting damage to the eye by removing the foreign object incorrectly. Place loose bandages over the eye and contact us immediately for an appointment.
Eyelid cuts
When your eyelid is bleeding, you should gently wash the cut with a clean, dry cloth until the bleeding subsides. Do not place pressure on your eyeball in case you also have a cut.
Any new symptoms
Sometimes, the cause of eye pain or disease is not obvious. Please request emergency eye care if you notice new pain, crusting around the eyelids, double vision, new light sensitivity, and ongoing stinging, burning, or itching in one or both eyes. These may not indicate an emergency, but the symptoms are your body’s way of telling you that your eyes need attention.
Please do not hesitate to contact for any urgent eye health situation.
