Emergency eye care is any type of eye care that is performed to stop an immediate threat to vision. Examples include injuries to the structures of the eyes or the eyelids, chemical burns, embedded objects, or sudden unexplained partial or complete loss of vision. Anyone experiencing an eye emergency should seek immediate medical attention. Emergencies that occur after business hours typically need to be seen in a hospital, as waiting for an available eye doctor can cause the situation to worsen.
Treating eye injuries caused by projectiles or other objects that damage the structures is among the most common type of emergency eye care. There are many potential causes for these types of injuries. For example, mowing the lawn can cause small sticks and other debris to fly back into the face and embed in the eyes, or wind can cause debris to scratch the surface of the cornea. Many eye injuries can be prevented by wearing protective eyewear when engaging in high-risk activities, such as yard work and sports.
Chemical burns are also common types of eye injuries that require emergency eye care. Those at the highest risk include laboratory workers, chemistry students, and professional house cleaners. Most workplaces and classrooms that use any type of chemical, even, have eyewash stations that allow workers or students to remove the chemical as quickly as possible. Those who do not have access to an eyewash station should repeatedly flush the eyes with clean water. Even if the all of the chemical is removed right away, it is still a good idea to follow up with a medical professional to assess the level of damage to the eyes.
Sudden degradation or loss of vision for any reason should receive emergency eye care, especially if the cause is unknown. Many time, the vision loss may be temporary and result from a short-term condition, such as a migraine. In some cases, however, loss of vision can signal a major issue within the eyes or the nerves that control them, and finding the cause quickly can prevent further complications. Blurred vision is a potentially serious side effect of many medications, so patients should be prepared to tell the emergency personnel about any prescription and non-prescription medicines they are taking. Trauma to other parts of the head can also result in temporary or permanent loss of vision
While some eye injuries require obvious emergency eye care, others can be more subtle. Anyone who is experiencing a sudden change in vision should at least contact an ophthalmologist right away, although seeking immediate medical attention is preferable. It is better to err on the side of caution than risk a complete, irreversible loss of vision.