Our vision is indispensable for everyday activities, and when something goes wrong, it can cause alarm. Knowing when to seek urgent medical attention for eye concerns can make a critical difference in preserving your ability to see.
Some situations of eye emergencies include:
- Eye injury
- Sudden changes in vision (such as loss, blurring, or seeing double)
- Severe eye pain
- Persistent redness
- Chronic light sensitivity
- Swelling around the eyes
- Eye discharge
It’s often better to visit your optometrist’s office than wait in a busy hospital emergency room or walk-in clinic. Arc Eye Care accepts walk-in emergency eye examinations, ensuring you get the prompt attention you need.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Eye Health
Eye problems can rapidly escalate, leading to irreversible damage. Delaying treatment or ignoring symptoms can have severe consequences. We’ll explore a few options below that indicate you should see an eye doctor ASAP. But if you ever experience strange or sudden changes in your vision or how your eyes feel, you should make an appointment.
You know what they say, “Better safe than sorry.”
Choose Optometrists Over Walk-In Clinics for Eye Emergencies
While walk-in clinics are convenient for minor health issues, they may not have the specialized equipment or expertise to diagnose complex eye problems. For emergencies involving your eyes, it’s crucial to consult an optometrist who can provide a quick and accurate diagnosis and treatment. An optometrist often offers faster care than a walk-in clinic or the emergency room, especially when your eyes are affected.
At Arc Eye Care, we prioritize emergency eye care visitors and will make every effort to accommodate you within our schedule. While we aim to assist all patients, please be aware that there may be times when we cannot fit everyone in immediately. But your vision is our priority, and we’ll do our utmost to help.
It’s important to note that it may not always be possible to see an optometrist quickly enough. If you cannot see an eye doctor, you should go to your nearest walk-in clinic or emergency room rather than wait.
Eye-Related Symptoms That Could Be an Emergency
Several things could be considered an eye emergency. Some may not have immediate or devastating complications. But treating your eyes with extra care is essential—they’re the only pair you get.
Eye Injuries
Eye injuries can range from minor to severe. Whether you’ve received a chemical splash, blunt trauma, or a foreign object in your eye, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical help. If untreated, eye injuries can cause permanent damage or vision loss. Never attempt to treat severe eye injuries at home. Quick, professional action is vital.
Sudden Changes in Vision
Sudden changes, such as seeing flashes of light, halos, floaters, or experiencing blurring and double vision, can indicate serious issues. These symptoms might point to severe eye conditions like a retinal tear or detachment, infections, or neurological issues, all of which require immediate professional evaluation.
Severe Eye Pain
Severe eye pain is often a symptom of serious conditions. Conditions like glaucoma, which increases pressure in the eye, or corneal abrasions can cause significant discomfort. Don’t wait to seek medical advice if experiencing this type of pain.
Persistent Red Eyes
While often due to minor irritations, persistent red eyes could also indicate more serious conditions such as uveitis or conjunctivitis. These conditions can cause severe redness and require professional treatment, such as antibiotics or other prescriptions.
Chronic Light Sensitivity
Being sensitive to light when stepping outdoors from inside is a natural adjustment. But persistent light sensitivity, or photophobia, can be associated with various eye conditions or infections and should be evaluated by a professional.
Swelling Around the Eyes
Allergies, infections, or trauma can cause swelling. Mild swelling alongside common allergy symptoms could indicate that you need to avoid allergens or take some allergy medicine. But, severe swelling might indicate an urgent condition like orbital cellulitis that requires immediate medical attention.
Eye Discharge
Waking up with some crust on your eyelids probably isn’t a cause for any concern. But discharge from the eye can be a sign of infections or allergies. Allergy medicine may be all you need if you experience mild and clear discharge. But thick or coloured discharge necessitates medical assessment to prevent complications.
Reach Out to Our Team Today
Remember, your eyes are crucial to your daily life. Recognizing the signs of an eye emergency and seeking immediate medical attention can significantly affect your vision preservation. Arc Eye Care is ready to help if you have urgent eye care needs.
Give us a call today. We can evaluate your symptoms, and our expert team can advise you on whether you should come in for an emergency eye exam.
