Emergency Eye Care
Knowing what to do in an eye emergency can save valuable time – it may even save someone’s vision.
If you need emergency eye care, or know someone who does, contact Sunset Eye Care, PC by calling (423) 282-1742.
Is it an emergency?
An emergency eye problem can cause sudden vision loss, hazy or blurred vision, eye pain, eye bleeding, and/or light sensitivity.
To determine whether or not it’s an emergency, use your best judgment and go with your instinct. But if you’re still unsure, here’s a list of the most common situations that should be considered urgent:
- Eye infections
- Foreign materials stuck in the eyes, such as small shards of glass or pieces of metal
- Cuts and punctures of the eye or eyelid
- Scratches caused by foreign material
- Chemical exposure causing eye pain and vision disturbances
- Trauma to the eye
- Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
- Sudden onset of flashes of light or “floaters” not seen before
Basic first aid for eye emergencies
The following guidelines are no substitute for experienced medical care. Call (423) 282-1742 to schedule an appointment.
- To treat chemical burns, flush the eye with water or any other drinkable liquid for at least 15 minutes. Do not bandage the eye.
- To treat specks and foreign objects, do not rub the eye. Allow tears to rinse the eye, or use eyewash. Do not use tweezers to remove the object.
- Treat blows to the eye with a compress.
- For cuts and punctures of the eye and eyelid, do not rinse the eye. Do not remove any foreign objects stuck in the eye. Cover the eye – the bottom half of a paper cup works well – and secure it at the forehead and cheekbone.
How can I reduce my risk?
- Wear eye protection any time you engage in activities that could potentially lead to an eye injury. Put on eye protection, such as goggles, when you are do certain home repairs, play sports, or perform hazardous duties at work.
- Make sure your first aid kit contains a rigid eye shield and commercial eyewash before you engage in any activity in which you could injure your eye. Check the expiration date on the eyewash and replace as necessary.
- Never underestimate the potential for harm when it comes to eye injuries – see Dr. Patteson at Sunset Eye Care, PC if you have any doubt whatsoever. Dr. Patteson has the training, tools, and expertise to diagnose and treat your eye injury.