Sign That You Are Experiencing an Eye Emergency

An eye emergency is any type of eye injury that requires immediate medical attention. Failing to get proper care can lead to serious eye damage. Getting immediate care can help prevent partial or even total vision loss.

The best thing you can do when you have an injury is to contact your doctor as quickly as possible. Eye injuries exhibit various symptoms, and knowing them will help determine when you should visit an emergency room.

Symptoms of an Eye Injury

There are some symptoms to look out for if you want to know if you are experiencing an eye emergency. Eye pain, loss of vision, stinging or burning, and one eye bulging out are signs of an eye emergency.

Other symptoms are one eye not moving well, different-sized pupils, decreased vision, double vision, light sensitivity, redness, and irritation. If you experience bleeding from the eye, severe itching, or eye discharge, you should call the doctor immediately.

What You Should Not Do

What you do when you experience an eye injury can determine whether you experience complications. There are some things that you should not do if you have an eye injury. While you may want to do so, you should not try to treat it yourself.

You should not apply pressure or rub the injured eye. Trying to remove an object stuck in the eye can result in further injury. You should also avoid using tools or putting ointments or medications in the eye without a doctor’s prescription.

Eye Emergency Situations

Several situations require immediate medical attention:

Chemical injuries will require emergency care
Chemical burns in the eyes resulting from industrial chemicals, gardening chemicals, and cleaning products are emergencies
Fumes and aerosols can also cause chemical burns
Foreign objects in the eye - These objects can range from sand and glass shards to metal objects. You can remove or flush out a small object. If something is stuck in the eye, do not try to remove it yourself

Urgent Medical Care

If you get a scratch or cut to the eyelid or eyeball, you require urgent medical care. Avoid applying pressure to the eye while waiting for treatment. Experiencing a black eye will also require urgent medical attention.

A black eye occurs when an object hits the eye or the area around the eye. The impact causes bleeding beneath the skin that is responsible for the discoloration. A black eye will usually be accompanied by swelling. A blow can damage the inner eye, so it is important to get immediate medical attention.

Preventing Eye Injuries

Eye injuries can occur anywhere at any time. They can happen at home, work, on the playground, or even at an event. Many times, they happen during some high-risk activities, but they can also occur in the least expected places.

You can do some things to reduce the risk of getting eye injuries. Wearing protective eyewear, handling chemical products with care, using tools carefully, and being aware of your environment can help.

For more on eye emergencies, contact Lakhani Vision Care at our office in Marietta, Georgia. You can call 770.509.9932 today to schedule an appointment.