Types of Eye Emergencies
Your eyes are vulnerable organs surrounded by protective bone. Even minor injuries can cause lifelong consequences if not addressed promptly and properly. Be sure to call your optometrist or go to your nearest emergency room immediately after experiencing an eye emergency to get the necessary care to protect your vision.
Chemical Exposure
Cleaning products, garden chemicals, and other chemicals used at work and home are dangerous if they come into contact with your eyes. If they do, in either liquid or vapor form, be sure to rinse your eyes out thoroughly with clean, tepid water for at least 15 minutes. If you’re wearing contact lenses, you should remove them immediately.
Sudden Loss of Vision
If you’ve lost your vision unexpectedly, you should visit a medical professional as soon as possible. Symptoms to watch out for: sudden increase in numbers of floaters, flashes of light, and a sudden decrease in visual field.
The only way to tell the difference is to consult an optometrist. If the cause is severe, we may refer you to a specialist to ensure you receive urgent and effective treatment.
Trauma
A blow to the head, face, or neck, you should visit your optometrist or emergency room as soon as possible (even for minor injuries). An impact to the eyes or their surrounding bone structure can cause serious damage, such as severe retinal bruising or elevated intraocular pressure.
Getting hit hard enough can even cause a retinal detachment, which can lead to blindness.
