Emergency Eye Care: Shady Grove Eye and Vision Care
When it comes to your eye health, there are moments when immediate medical attention can make all the difference. Knowing what to do in an eye emergency can be the difference between preserving your eyesight and facing potential long-term damage.
Eye emergencies encompass a wide range of urgent situations, including but not limited to:
- Eye Infections: Infections like conjunctivitis (pink eye) that cause severe pain, discharge, or vision impairment. Pink eye infections can be viral, bacterial, and allergenic. Iritis, the inflammation of the colored part of the eye (iris), is another example of an infection that needs urgent care.
- Corneal Abrasions/Ulcers: Scratches caused by foreign objects or open sores on the cornea that cause extreme discomfort and light sensitivity necessitate a visit to our emergency department in Rockville.
- Foreign Objects: When objects like metal, glass, or debris become lodged in the eye, this can cause pain and potentially damage vision. Never try removing a foreign object lodged in your eyes — see our emergency eye doctor instead.
- Sudden Vision Loss: Suddenly experiencing a decrease in vision in one or both eyes, which may be partial or complete.
- Retinal Detachment: A medical emergency where the retina pulls away from the back of the eye, often characterized by flashes of light, floaters, and a curtain-like shadow in the field of vision.
- Chemical Burns: Exposure to harmful chemicals, acids, or alkalis that can lead to severe eye damage.
- Eye Allergic Reactions: Severe allergic reactions that result in significant eye swelling, redness, and itching.
- Eye Contusions: Bruises around the eye caused by an impact, often resulting in swelling and discoloration.
- Orbital Fractures: Breaks or fractures in the bones surrounding the eye, frequently occurring from significant trauma.
The takeaway is to seek urgent eye care from Shady Grove Eye and Vision Care immediately if you are experiencing any of these situations or other unusual symptoms.
What to Do in an Eye Emergency
Knowing what to do in an eye emergency is essential. Here are some immediate actions to take:
- Don’t Rub Your Eyes: Rubbing your eyes can worsen the injury or condition.
- Wash Your Hands: Ensure your hands are clean before touching your eye or attempting any first aid (This is relevant for #3 and #4).
- Rinse with Saline: For tiny foreign objects stuck in your eye, rinse your eye gently with saline solution if available. Use clean, lukewarm water if saline is not available.
- Cover the Eye: If a foreign object is in the eye, cover the eye with a clean, sterile dressing or paper cup to prevent further damage.
- Don’t Remove Foreign Objects: Never attempt to remove a foreign object embedded in the eye — this can cause further damage.
6. Seek Immediate Help: Contact us or visit the nearest emergency room or urgent care center promptly.