Urgent Eye Care: When, Why, and Where To Seek Immediate Help
Eye injuries and conditions shouldn’t be taken lightly. The eyes are delicate organs, and even seemingly minor injuries can have lasting consequences if not addressed promptly and appropriately. If you experience an eye emergency, you must seek treatment as soon as possible to preserve your vision. This blog discusses how to identify an eye emergency, when to get help and where to go for care.
For over 50 years, the Eye Institute of Austin has been providing quality, compassionate eye care. Contact us immediately if you experience an eye emergency.
Identifying an Eye Emergency
Many sudden eye problems and chronic conditions are considered emergencies and need prompt attention. These include the following:
Chemical Injury
Everyday household products like disinfectant, oven cleaner, or bleach can be dangerous if splashed into your eyes. The severity of the damage to your eyes depends on the type of chemical involved and the duration of exposure. As such, it is crucial to take immediate action.
Symptoms of a chemical injury include the following:
- A burning sensation in the eyes
- Pain and redness
- Blurred vision
- Excessive tears
Foreign Objects
Objects like dirt, insects, or metal shavings can enter the eye. If not removed promptly by a qualified medical professional, they can damage your cornea, the eye’s clear surface. Eventually, they could cause infection and scarring, which could affect your vision.
If you have a foreign object in your eye, do not try to remove it yourself. Doing so could worsen the damage or push the object further into your eye. Instead, visit the nearest emergency room (ER) or urgent eye care facility.
Signs that you have a foreign object in your eye include the following:
- Excessive tearing
- Sharp pain, followed by a burning sensation
- Blurred vision or loss of vision
- Blood in the whites of the affected eye
Eye Infections
Some eye infections, such as conjunctivitis or pink eye, usually run their course without seeing a doctor. However, others require urgent care. Examples of this include:
Keratitis: This is an inflammation of the cornea. While some mild cases might resolve on their own, keratitis can be an eye emergency if a serious infection, injury, or a foreign object in the eye causes it. If you experience symptoms like severe pain, vision loss, redness, light sensitivity, or discharge from the eye, get immediate medical attention.
Cellulitis: This is an infection of the tissues around the eye. Cellulitis is an eye emergency because it can spread quickly and potentially affect the eye itself. Symptoms like redness, swelling, pain, and vision changes require a doctor’s evaluation and prompt antibiotic treatment to prevent complications.
Eye Trauma
Eye injuries caused by blunt force, such as a fist, a ball, or a fall, necessitate medical care as soon as possible. Other causes of eye trauma include the following:
- Sports injuries
- Childhood accidents
- Penetrating injuries, or when a sharp object pierces the eye
- Burns from exposure to extreme heat
When To Seek Immediate Help
Seek professional care as soon as possible if you are experiencing any of the symptoms below.
Sudden Vision Loss
A rapid decline in vision can indicate a retinal detachment or other serious conditions that may permanently impair vision if not treated promptly.
Severe Eye Pain
Acute eye pain might indicate infections, inflammation, or even glaucoma, which requires immediate medical attention.
Extreme Eye Discharge
Persistent discharge or redness can signal a serious infection that needs prompt treatment to prevent complications.
The Role of Urgent Care Facilities in Eye Emergencies
With eye emergencies, time is of the essence. While an ophthalmologist’s office is equipped to diagnose and treat a wide range of eye injuries and conditions, the doctor might not be readily available during evenings, weekends, or holidays.
Some practices may require an appointment made in advance. Generally, urgent care facilities or emergency rooms are the first line of defense for emergencies requiring immediate attention.
Here are some reasons why urgent eye care facilities and ERs are crucial for eye emergencies:
- Immediate Availability: They are staffed with medical professionals 24/7, ensuring prompt evaluation and treatment, even outside regular business hours.
- Equipped for Emergencies: They have the necessary equipment and resources to assess and stabilize serious eye conditions, including pain management and preliminary treatment.
- Referral Network: If needed, they can refer you to an ophthalmologist for follow-up care after the initial emergency is addressed.
Steps To Take In an Eye Emergency
Taking appropriate measures during an eye emergency can be vital to preserving your vision. Follow these steps in the event of an eye injury or emergency:
Protect the Eye
Do not rub or apply pressure to the affected eye, as doing so can worsen the damage. Instead, gently cover the eye with a shield or patch.
Seek Medical Assistance
Visit an urgent care facility or ER immediately or contact your eye care professional if they have an emergency line.
Follow Your Doctor’s Advice
Adhere to the medical provider’s advice on further steps, treatments, and follow-up care to ensure the best possible outcome.
Get Quality Eye Care From a Trusted Ophthalmology Practice
For over 50 years, Eye Institute of Austin has provided Texans with quality, compassionate eye care. Our wide range of services includes urgent care for eye emergencies. We understand that emergencies can happen anytime, so we have a doctor on call 24/7 for established patients experiencing a sudden eye issue.
Reach out to us today to learn more about our services. You may also book an appointment by filling out our online form.