WHAT IS CONSIDERED AN EYE EMERGENCY?
Annual comprehensive eye exams are an important part of eye care. But in some situations, you may need urgent or emergency treatment from an eye doctor. Certain eye conditions and injuries can lead to serious complications or even vision loss. Other eye emergencies extend beyond the eyes and may involve systemic diseases.
Eye Emergencies
There are two main categories of eye emergencies. There are those caused by certain clinical conditions and those resulting from injury or trauma. Both categories can be sight-threatening, in addition to being extremely frightening. Thus, true eye emergencies require immediate and urgent treatment.
What Should You Consider An Eye Emergency?
Eye emergencies are conditions that require immediate medical attention due to sudden changes in vision and ocular health. Chemical exposure to the eye, foreign objects in the eye, ocular infections, and eye trauma are all eye emergencies that need immediate treatment.
When you suffer an eye emergency, you need to seek medical care as early as possible to prevent permanent damage to your eye or vision. Any obvious eye trauma or sudden onset of symptoms that affect your vision is an eye emergency.
Trauma And Injury
Chemicals, foreign objects, burns, a blow, scratches, and cuts can cause trauma and injury to the eye. If the injury is serious, it is important to seek immediate specialist treatment. In such a case, refrain from removing the object embedded in your eye, touching the eye, or applying any medication or ointment.
In the case of chemical contamination of the eye, the first thing you need to do is try to flush as much of the chemical out as possible using warm, clean water. In all cases of severe trauma or injury to the eye, avoid applying any pressure to the injured eye and seek treatment without delay.
Symptoms Of Serious Trauma Or Injury To The Eye
Bulging or swelling of the eye.
Bleeding from your eye.
Loss of vision.
One eye moves differently from the other.
Severe bruising.
Unequal pupil size.
Severe photosensitivity.
Severe pain and burning.
Clinical Eye Emergencies
Clinical eye emergencies are not as common as eye emergencies caused by injury and trauma. However, they still require immediate medical attention to prevent permanent vision impairment or vision loss. Examples of clinical eye emergencies include:
Central retinal artery occlusion: This is a sudden blockage caused by a plaque of cholesterol. This blockage prevents the retina from receiving oxygen, which can lead to permanent loss of vision.
Orbital cellulitis: This condition results from the spread of infection into the eye’s orbit. This causes swelling that pushes the eye forward.
Acute angle-closure glaucoma: This is a condition where there is a sudden obstruction in the drainage part of the eye. This causes a dramatic and sudden increase in the eye’s pressure. Some of the symptoms include reduced vision, nausea or vomiting, acute pain, and red eyes.
Retinal detachment: This is the detachment of the retina within the eye, leading to degradation of vision.
The best way to guard against clinical eye emergencies is to undergo regular comprehensive eye exams. An eye doctor can catch most of these conditions at an early stage, monitor them, and come up with the appropriate treatment plan to slow or prevent deterioration.
To learn more about eye emergencies, visit Longview Eye Associates at our office in Longview, Texas. You can call (903) 758-8832 today to schedule an appointment.