Where Should I Go If I Have an Eye Emergency?

Eye emergencies are unpredictable and occur unexpectedly. Timely medical care can help protect your eyes and vision. If you or your loved one accidentally causes harm to their eye, would you know where to seek help? Read on to learn where to go if you get an eye emergency.
 

What Is an Eye Emergency?

An eye emergency is an injury, burn, or foreign thing that can affect your eyes and needs immediate medical attention. You can experience eye damage that can lead to partial or permanent vision loss without proper or timely treatment.

Identifying an eye emergency is not as simple as it may sound. Symptoms may not be as apparent as you may think. Sometimes, you can dismiss something that can become a significant issue. Seek medical help if you experience any of the following. You would rather be safe than regret your delay.
 

Eye Pain

Eye pain can range in severity depending on the condition of your eye. The pain sometimes goes away on its own. However, an assessment can help diagnose the problem. Seek immediate medical help if the eye pain happens alongside impaired vision, nausea, headaches, or a discharge.
 

Corneal Abrasion

A corneal scratch can occur when your eye gets in contact with materials like dust, metal, wood, or contact lenses. You may experience headaches, pain, redness, watery eyes, and light sensitivity.
 

Sudden Vision Loss or Blurry Vision

Seek immediate medical help if you suddenly experience vision loss. Assuming the problem will resolve on its own can worsen the situation. Blurry vision could mean you have a refractive error like hyperopia or myopia. But if your vision suddenly becomes blurry, you need to get concerned. Only a medical professional can determine the problem.
 

Sudden Floaters or Flashes

The sudden onset of floaters and flashes should cause concern. Flashes appear like light flashes in your vision field. Floaters look like cobweb shapes, dots, and specks in your vision field. Seek emergency care if you have an unexplained increase in them.

Tunnel Vision

Peripheral vision loss or tunnel vision develops when your side vision gets affected. The condition occurs when your visual field has gaps on the side, but you can only see straight ahead. You may struggle to navigate through crowds, or you can fall over things.

Chemical Burn in Your Eye

You will need immediate medical help if a chemical gets in contact with your eye. Avoid rubbing your eyes no matter how itchy or irritated they may feel. Rinse with cool water to flush out the chemical. Also, wash your hands with soap and water to remove any chemicals left in your hands. Remove your contacts if you still have them on.

Eye Discharge

Persistent and excessive eye discharge with an abnormal consistency should cause concern. Your specialist can determine the root cause of the problem to recommend treatment.

Visual Disturbances

Anything that interferes with your sight is a visual disturbance. Experiencing pain, double vision, or color blindness unexpectedly and suddenly should cause concern.

Foreign Things in the Eye

Some materials can cause harm when they get lodged in your eye. Avoid forcing any foreign object out. Seek medical help if you try flushing it out but cannot and experience abnormal vision.

Where to Go If You Get an Eye Emergency

If you have an eye emergency, seek immediate medical help at an urgent care or the nearest emergency to quickly resolve the issue. Brandon Eyes can offer you emergency care services if you have an eye emergency that requires immediate assistance.

For more on where to go if you have an eye emergency, visit Brandon Eyes at our office in Middleton or Madison, Wisconsin. Call (608) 833-7256 or (608) 833-0301 to book an appointment today.