Eye Emergencies You Should See an Eye Doctor For

When was the last time you injured your eye or experienced a severe eye problem? Just like the rest of our bodies, our eyes can be affected by all sorts of problems. Sometimes these issues can be severe and with our vision on the line, it becomes essential to see a professional eye doctor as a matter of urgency. But how do you know when an eye problem is an emergency, and when it can wait for a regular appointment? 

Here are some of the eye emergencies that you should seek urgent assistance for.

Chemical Burns

Chemical burns are one of the most common types of eye injury and can occur directly or indirectly. For example, you could accidentally spray a chemical product directly into your eyes, or you could transfer a chemical that is on your hands onto your eyes by touching them without washing your hands first. Like other burns, chemical burns can be very painful. Severe ones can also affect your vision, potentially permanently if you don’t get the right treatment. Your eye doctor will advise you to rinse your eye immediately, running cool fresh water into it for at least 15 minutes before even attempting to get in for an emergency appointment. Urgent rinsing could prevent permanent damage to your long-term vision. 

Foreign Object In The Eye

Most of us have had something lodged in our eyes before. Usually, this is a tiny piece of debris such as dust, grain of sand, or eyelash that causes irritation, watering, and mild discomfort, and can be removed by carefully flushing the eye with water or saline solution. However, there are times when a foreign object in the eye can have more dangerous consequences. We strongly advise that you don’t rub your eyes as this could cause abrasions. Instead, cover the eye with a paper cup or eye shield from your first aid kit, and come in to see us immediately. If you can see anything actually penetrating the eye, don’t be tempted to pull it out but instead leave it in place and get to your eye doctor immediately.

Sudden Changes In Vision

If your vision suddenly starts to change in any way, it could be a sign that you are experiencing a problem. Not all eye emergencies occur as a result of visible trauma, and sometimes it is internal changes caused by health or other issues that result in an urgent need to see an eye doctor. If you suddenly start to have visual disturbances like persistent flashes or floaters, loss of vision, or vision that comes and goes, it’s essential that you contact your emergency eye doctor right away. 

Eye Pain

Everyone can get sore, painful eyes from time to time. However, if you suddenly start to experience significant eye pain then it’s time to contact your emergency eye doctor as there is likely to be something happening that could severely affect your vision. For example, acute angle glaucoma causes a sudden increase in intraocular pressure that can cause permanent damage to the optic nerve. Don’t delay, speak to your eye doctor right away. 

For more advice on eye emergencies, visit Focus Family Eyecare in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Call (918) 252-0438 to schedule an appointment today.