5 Common Eye Emergencies and Treatment

Eye emergencies are quite common, and they can happen to anyone at any time. Most will require a trip to the emergency room. Different eye emergencies cause various issues and complications that can threaten vision and eye health. It is important to find out what you can do if you accidentally injure or damage your eye. Here are some common eye emergencies and treatments.
 

Chemical Injuries

Liquids such as cleaning products, industrial liquids, or gardening chemicals contain substances that are harmful to the eyes. You can suffer from chemical burns as a result of the chemicals getting into your eye. In some cases, the chemicals can cause permanent vision loss.
 

Treatment — Immediately flushing the eyes out with water can help to save your sight. Allow water to run over the eye for at least 15 minutes to remove all traces of the chemical. Call an eye doctor or go to the emergency room as soon as possible.
 

Foreign Objects

A foreign object can be anything from a grain of sand to a piece of metal or shard of glass. If you get something in your eye and blinking fails to remove it, do not rub the eye. Rubbing can cause more damage as it can cause the object to get deeper into the eye.

Treatment — Using clean hands, flip the eyelids and look into the eye to see if you can locate the object. If you can see the object, you can try to remove it using saline eye drops. You can also use cool water to flush the eye. Visit an eye doctor even if you have safely removed the object.
 

Eye Trauma

Many people have experienced a black eye. It is important to realize that damage to the eye can go beyond the outer area. A blow to the eye can result in retinal detachment. This is a condition where the retina detaches from its position at the back of the eye.

Treatment — It is important to visit an eye specialist, especially if you experience vision loss after a blow to the eye. The blood vessels that deliver oxygen and nourishment to the eye may have been damaged. You need to get emergency treatment to avoid permanent vision loss.
 

Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis is a condition that occurs when the inside of the eyelid becomes inflamed and swollen. Commonly called pink eye, conjunctivitis is an inflammation or infection that requires emergency treatment.

Treatment — Conjunctivitis requires immediate medical attention. An eye specialist will help to diagnose and treat the underlying cause.
 

Eye Pain

Eye pain is a common reason why many people require emergency eye care. The pain may be dull, sharp, intermittent, constant, throbbing, or stabbing. It is important to get immediate treatment if you experience eye pain. An eye doctor will help to establish the cause of the pain.

Treatment — The pain may be caused by anything from dry eyes, inflammation, eyestrain, or injury. Prescription medication may be used to treat the pain. An eye specialist will help to come up with the best treatment plan.

If you experience any eye problems, you should contact an eye specialist immediately. Prompt action can help to save your vision and protect your eye health.

To learn more about eye emergencies and treatment, visit Eastern Virginia Eye Associates at our office in Chesapeake, Virginia. You can also call (757) 607-4800 to book an appointment today.