Eye Emergencies: Symptoms and Prevention

What is an eye emergency?

If you have a foreign object or chemicals in your eye or when an injury or burn affects your eye area then it’s an eye emergency. Also you should seek medical attention if you ever experience redness, swelling, or pain in your eyes. The eye damage can lead to the partial vision loss or even permanent blindness without proper treatment.
Symptoms of eye injury

Eye emergencies cover a range of incidents and conditions. Each of these conditions and incidents have their own distinct symptoms. If it feels like you have something in your eye then you should contact your doctor. Also visit your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• stinging or burning
• loss of vision
• pupils that are not the same size
• eye pain
• one eye is not moving like the other
• decreased vision
• one eye is sticking out or bulging
• redness and irritation
• double vision
• bruising around the eye
• light sensitivity
• blood in the white part of the eye
• bleeding from the eye
• severe itching
• discharge from the eye
• new or severe headaches

Visit an emergency room or an urgent care center if there’s an injury to your eye, or if you have sudden vision loss, bleeding, swelling or pain in the eye.

What not to do if you have an eye injury

Serious complications can occur due to an eye injury. However you should not attempt to treat yourself. Though you may be tempted to do so ensure not to:

• try to remove foreign objects that are stuck in any part of your eye
• rub or apply pressure to your eye
• put any medications or ointments in your eye
• use tweezers or any other tools in your eye (cotton swabs can be used but only on the eyelid)

If you wear contact lenses then do not take them out if you think that you have suffered an eye injury. This is because attempting to remove your eye contacts can make the eye injury worse. The only exceptions to this rule are in situations wherein you have a chemical injury and your contact lenses did not flush out with water or where you cannot receive immediate medical help. In case of an eye emergency, the best thing you can do is to get to your doctor as soon as possible.

Preventing eye injury

Eye injuries can happen anywhere- be it at work, home, athletic events, or on the playground. Usually accidents can happen during high-risk activities but they can also happen places where you least expect them.

There are things you can do to prevent or reduce your risk of, that include

• Wearing protective eyewear when using the power tools or engaging in high-risk sporting events. You are at an increased risk anytime you are around the flying objects even though if you’re not participating.
• Keeping the scissors, knives, and other sharp instruments away from young children. Teaching older children how to use the tools safely and supervising them when they do.
• Following the directions carefully when working with the chemicals or cleaning supplies.
• Not letting your children play with projectile toys, such as darts or pellet guns.
• Keeping the heated hair appliances such as curling irons and straightening tools, away from your eyes.
• Using caution when cooking with grease and oil.
• Childproofing your home by either removing or cushioning items with sharp edges.
• Keeping your distance from amateur fireworks.

Bottom line

Since eye emergencies include cuts, objects in the eye, scratches, chemical exposure, burns, and blunt injuries to the eye or eyelid, they need prompt medical attention. Certain eye infections and other medical conditions glaucoma or blood clots may also need immediate medical care because if the eye is easily damaged then any of these conditions can lead to vision loss. It is therefore, utmost significant to get medical attention for eye or eyelid injuries and problems. You should always see an eye doctor after you experience an eye injury to reduce your chances of developing any permanent eye damage. Regular eye exams are necessary since some eye conditions may not have any noticeable symptoms. Most eye conditions can be effectively treated when identified early. Get a regular examination by your eye doctor for any changes to your vision or eyes as certain eye symptoms can indicate the need for an emergency care.