Eye Emergencies

Eye emergencies cover a range of conditions and concerns. Events such as trauma, cuts, scratches, foreign objects in the eye, burns, chemical exposure,  blunt injuries to the eye or eyelid, flashes and floaters can require emergency care. 
 

Depending On The Type Of Injury, Any Of The Following Symptoms May Be Present:

• Bleeding or other discharge from or around the eye

• Bruising

• Decreased vision

• Double vision

• Loss of vision, total or partial, in one eye or both

• Pupils of unequal size

• Eye pain

• New or severe headaches

• Itchy eyes

• Redness or bloodshot appearance

• A sensation of something in the eye

• Sensitivity to light

• Stinging or burning in the eye

• One eye is not moving like the other

• One eye is sticking out or bulging

• Nausea or headache occurring with eye pain

In case of eye injury be sure NOT to:

• rub or apply pressure to your eye

• try to remove foreign objects that are stuck in any part of your eye

• use tweezers or any other tools in your eye

• put medications or ointments in the eye

How To Prevent Eye Injuries

Eye injuries can happen anywhere. Accidents can happen during high-risk activities, but also in places where you least expect them. There are things that can be done to decrease the risk of eye injuries, including wearing protective eyewear when using power tools or engaging in high-risk sporting events, following the directions carefully when working with chemicals or cleaning supplies, keeping scissors, knives, and other sharp instruments away from young children, and keeping a distance from amateur fireworks.
 
To decrease the chances of developing permanent eye damage, immediate medical evaluation is necessary in the event of an eye injury.