An eye emergency is a serious situation. Incorrect or delayed care in an emergency has the potential to severely and/or permanently damage your vision. Discover how to identify these serious situations and what measures you need to take so that you that you know when to seek immediate support from a local optometrist on our team.
When it comes to emergencies, it's best to be prepared. We at Modern Eyecare serving Norwalk, CT, and the surrounding areas know a lot about eye care emergencies.
If You Can't See
If at any point you experience a sudden loss of sight. This is usually considered this an emergency if it does not return quickly, and it may be a good idea to seek help.
Eye Irritant
It's common to get slight irritants in the eye such as dust, dirt, or shampoo. Minor irritations don't necessarily require emergency care. Using a mirror, try gently removing the irritant by looking up, down, or sideways to find the eye invader. If unable to gently remove it, try flushing it with water to rinse the irritant away. If these methods do not work, and you are in a large amount of pain, consider next contacting an optometrist.
Chemical Eye Injury
Many household chemicals can cause eye injury, including cleaning products such as bleach or even some soaps. In some cases, the simple fumes of chemicals or chemical combinations can also cause irritation and damage. It can be important with chemical injuries to flush the affected eyes with clean water and then seek guidance from an eye doctor.
If a chemical injury occurs at work, there will typically be an eye-wash station for cleansing and human resources can help identify chemical risks with an MSDS data sheet if your injury happens at work.
Penetrating Eye Injury
If a foreign object penetrates any part of the eye, such as a broken piece of glass, you will need to secure the eye and go to the emergency room. It is especially important with a penetrating eye injury to not remove the embedded item and instead let a doctor extract whatever has cut the eye.
Blunt Force Eye Emergency
When considering blunt force, think of a black eye. Something has impacted your eye and caused bruising. As with many bruises, applying a cold compress and icing the area can help reduce swelling, as can anti-inflammatories.
Visit Us for More Information from an Eye Doctor on Our Team
Eyecare matters, especially in cases of emergency. Call our professional at Modern Eyecare serving Norwalk, CT, and the surrounding areas if you need a consultation. Call us at (203) 523-7204.