Recognizing and Responding to Eye Emergencies
By knowing how to recognize an eye emergency, you can respond appropriately when faced with a serious situation. Some eye conditions require emergency eye care to prevent lasting damage. Understanding the signs of an emergency allows you to take swift action, and it is a key part of protecting your vision. Here is more information about recognizing and responding to an eye emergency:
Sudden Vision Loss
A sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes requires an immediate response. You might experience a complete blackout, a dimming of your sight, or a curtain-like shadow descending over your field of vision. Go to an emergency room if you experience sudden vision loss; this symptom may signal a detached retina or a stroke. This is not a symptom to ignore, and a doctor needs to evaluate the cause.
Flashing Lights
Seeing sudden flashing lights, floaters, or spots in your vision could point to a developing problem. These flashes may appear like lightning streaks or camera flashes, and you might see them in one or both eyes. This experience may happen with a sudden increase in floaters, which are the small specks that drift through your field of vision.
While many people experience floaters occasionally, a sudden shower of them accompanied by light flashes is different. You need to seek prompt medical care. These symptoms could indicate a retinal tear or detachment; this is a condition where the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye pulls away from its normal position.
An eye doctor can perform a dilated eye exam, and this test helps them look at the back of your eye. Early detection typically allows for more treatment options. If a retinal tear is found before it progresses to a full detachment, the repair procedure is typically simpler.
Severe Eye Pain
Severe eye pain, especially when it comes on suddenly, is a clear sign that you need medical help. The pain might feel sharp and stabbing, or it could be a deep, throbbing ache. This type of pain may come with other symptoms, so you should pay attention to what else you are feeling. These additional symptoms may include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Blurred vision
Eye-related Injury
Any direct blow or injury to the eye needs emergency eye care. Even if the injury seems minor, unseen damage may have occurred, so it is wise to get it checked. You might have visible cuts or bruises on or around the eye, but internal injury is also a possibility. A direct impact can cause bleeding inside the eye or a fracture of the eye socket.
Chemical splashes also count as traumatic injuries that need immediate action. If you get a chemical in your eye, flush it with clean water for at least 15 minutes before you head to the doctor. Do not rub your eye, as this can cause more damage. For any physical trauma, such as a puncture or a severe blow, a trip to the emergency room is necessary.
Find Emergency Eye Care
Knowing the signs of an eye emergency prepares you to act quickly. Do not delay seeking medical help when you experience sudden vision changes, severe pain, or trauma to the eye. If you believe you are experiencing an eye emergency, contact an eye care professional or visit your nearest emergency room immediately for an evaluation.
