Eye Emergencies

What Is an Eye Emergency?

An eye emergency is when damage to the eye, or surrounding areas, is an immediate threat to vision loss or larger problems. Accidents or injuries that require immediate care such as getting a foreign object or chemical in your eye are considered an emergency. In these types of situations, emergency care is needed to prevent further eye damage that may lead to vision impairment or even permanent blindness.

What is Considered an Eye Emergency?

Eye emergencies involve damage to the eye that has the potential to cause permanent vision loss if not promptly treated. This can include cuts, scratches, objects in the eye, burns, chemical exposure, and blunt injuries to the eye or eyelid. Contact your doctor if there is an injury to your eye if you have sudden vision loss, swelling, bleeding, or pain in your eye, or if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Burning sensation in the eye
• Stinging sensation in the eye
• Pupils of different sizes
• Different eye movements
• Bulging of one or both eyes
• Decreased vision
• Double vision
• Redness
• Light sensitivity
• Bruising around the eye
• Blood
• Discharge from the eye
• Severe itching
• Severe headaches

What Precautions Should I Take with an Eye Injury?

Eye injuries can be sudden, and you should seek treatment immediately to avoid further damage to the eye. Do not try to diagnose or treat an eye injury without supervision from a skilled professional. Taking proactive steps to avoid injury and protect your eye from accidents, is the best measure you can take. Use of good judgment in high-risk situations can mean the difference between an enjoyable experience and leaving with an eye injury. To minimize your chances of sustaining damage to the eye you can wear protective goggles when using power tools or engaging in high-risk sporting events. Follow the specific directions provided when working with chemicals or cleaning supplies. Keep scissors, knives, and other sharp instruments away from young children. Should you sustain an injury, contact your doctor and do not rub or apply pressure to your eye, try to remove foreign objects yourself, or use medications or ointments in your eye.