Eye Emergencies

For severe injuries, chemical burns, or sudden complete vision loss, go to the emergency room immediately while having someone call our office. For other urgent symptoms, call our office first. We can often see emergency cases the same day and provide specialized eye care that emergency rooms cannot offer. Our staff can guide you on the best course of action based on your specific symptoms.

Do not rub your eye or try to remove the object yourself. Blink several times to see if tears wash it out naturally. If the object remains, feels large, or if you continue to feel pain or irritation, rinse gently with clean water and contact our office immediately for guidance. Never try to remove embedded objects or anything that appears to be stuck in the eye tissue.

New flashing lights with a sudden increase in floaters need same-day evaluation, ideally within hours. These symptoms can indicate retinal detachment, which requires immediate treatment to prevent permanent vision loss. Do not wait to see if symptoms improve on their own. Contact our office right away, even if symptoms seem to come and go.

Yes, some eye emergencies can cause permanent vision loss if not treated quickly enough. Retinal detachment, acute glaucoma, severe infections, and chemical burns are examples of conditions that can permanently damage your sight. Quick treatment by our eye doctors gives you the best chance of preserving your vision and preventing complications. Time is critical for many eye emergencies.

Be prepared to describe your symptoms clearly, when they started, and what may have caused them. Tell us about any medications you take, your medical history, and any previous eye problems. Also mention if you wear contact lenses or have had recent eye procedures. This information helps our staff determine how urgently you need to be seen and what preparations we need to make.

During an emergency visit, we will quickly assess your symptoms, examine your eyes thoroughly using specialized equipment, and may perform additional tests like measuring eye pressure or taking detailed images of your retina. We will explain what we find and discuss treatment options immediately. The exam may take longer than a routine visit due to the detailed evaluation needed for emergency conditions.

If your vision is affected, you are experiencing severe pain, or you have had eye drops that blur your vision, do not drive yourself. Have someone else drive you or call for transportation. If you are alone and experiencing a true emergency, call for emergency medical transportation rather than risking driving with impaired vision. Your safety and the safety of others is important.

Wear appropriate protective eyewear during sports and work activities, manage chronic health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, get regular comprehensive eye exams, handle chemicals safely, and seek prompt care for any concerning eye symptoms. While not all emergencies can be prevented, these steps significantly reduce your risk and help catch problems early.

Follow-up care depends on your specific condition and treatment. You may need return visits to monitor healing, additional treatments, or ongoing management of underlying conditions. We will provide clear instructions about medications, activity restrictions, and warning signs to watch for. Follow-up appointments are crucial for ensuring the best possible recovery and preventing complications.

Some eye emergencies have warning signs that develop over days or weeks before becoming severe. These include gradual increase in floaters, occasional flashing lights, mild vision changes, or increasing eye pressure symptoms like headaches. Regular eye exams help us catch these early warning signs and prevent emergencies from developing. Do not ignore gradual changes in your vision.

For true emergencies after hours, go to the nearest emergency room and have them contact our on-call doctor if needed. Our office phone system provides instructions for after-hours emergencies. For less urgent problems that develop after hours, you can often wait until the next business day, but call our office first thing in the morning to be seen promptly.

Yes, children can experience eye emergencies including injuries from sports or play, infections, and foreign objects in the eye. Children may not be able to describe their symptoms clearly, so watch for signs like excessive tearing, rubbing the eye, sensitivity to light, or changes in behavior. Bring children in immediately for any suspected eye injury or sudden vision changes.

The outcome depends on the type of emergency, how quickly treatment was received, and the extent of damage. Some conditions like minor corneal abrasions heal completely with no lasting effects. Others like severe retinal detachment may result in some permanent vision loss even with prompt treatment. Our goal is always to preserve as much vision as possible and prevent further damage.

Severe, sudden eye pain that comes with nausea, vomiting, vision changes, or seeing halos around lights is usually an emergency. Moderate pain that gets worse over several hours also needs urgent attention. Mild discomfort or irritation can often wait for a regular appointment, but when in doubt, call our office for guidance. We would rather evaluate you unnecessarily than have you wait too long for needed care.

Yes, some eye emergencies can be signs of broader health issues like stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes complications, or autoimmune diseases. This is why prompt evaluation is important not just for your eye health but for your overall health. We work with other medical specialists when needed to address underlying conditions that may have contributed to your eye emergency.