Emergency Eye Problems & Injuries: Where and When to Seek Treatment
An eye injury can happen, literally, in the blink of an eye. Whether it occurs at work, while mowing the lawn, or during a baseball game, any eye injury can feel alarming. But when do these injuries become emergency eye problems?
While most result merely in a minor scare, some can severely impact vision quality or actually result in permanent vision loss. Even minor eye injuries can lead to blurry vision and dry or watery eyes for days. Serious eye injuries can be even more devastating. The good news is that many eye injuries are preventable with proper precautions. Read on to learn about essential eye safety tips from the experts.
What Causes Eye Injuries?
In order to prevent eye injuries, it’s important to know what causes them. This awareness can help you avoid risky situations. Some of the most common emergency eye problems and minor injuries stem from the following causes:
- Airborne objects: All kinds of flying objects present a risk to the eye, from tiny particles of dust to a cork flying off a wine bottle. Most of these flying objects are unexpected or hard to detect, but some airborne objects can be anticipated, like at a construction site or a baseball game.
- Improper use of tools: Tools can also be hazardous to the eye, especially when improperly used. Damaged or broken tools are even riskier and can cause eye injury at any time, particularly if they break apart.
- Chemicals: Chemicals like cleaning products or construction liquids often come with warnings, and for good reason. These liquids can cause irreversible damage if they splash in the eye.
- Radiation: Radiation can come from lasers or UV light from the sun, causing blindness, blurred vision, or other long-term eye injuries.
Knowing when an eye problem is an emergency and being aware of where to go for an emergency eye problem are crucial steps in protecting your vision.
When Is an Eye Problem an Emergency?
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:
- Sudden vision loss or significant vision changes
- Severe eye pain or discomfort
- Foreign object in the eye
- Chemical or gasoline exposure to the eye
- Severe redness or swelling
- Unexplained flashes of light or a severe increase in floaters
- Severe eye trauma from an impact or injury
Understanding where to go for an emergency eye problem is essential. For severe issues, visit an emergency room or urgent care center. For less critical concerns not listed above, schedule an appointment at your local Visionworks for an evaluation.
Common Emergency Vs. Non-Emergency Eye Problems
Now you know what can cause eye injuries, but what types of damage can these situations really cause? Injuries range from mild problems that can be treated at home to severe cases that require emergency medical intervention. Not all eye problems require immediate medical attention. Some conditions can be uncomfortable but are not emergencies. Here are some examples of each:
| Emergency | Non-Emergency | |
|---|---|---|
| Blunt trauma near the eyeA hard blow to the eye from a blunt object can lead to an emergency eye problem known as traumatic iritis. This condition inflames the colored part of the eye known as the iris and requires medical treatment. |  |
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| Pink eye (conjunctivitis) This condition causes redness and swelling of the eye’s mucous membrane. While it can be highly contagious, it often resolves on its own or with a prescribed medication that you can get from your primary care doctor. | |
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| Cataract developmentCataracts cause clouding of the eye’s lenses, leading to vision impairment. This condition develops gradually and can be managed with updated vision prescriptions available from regular eye exams. With larger cataracts, an eye doctor may recommend surgery. | |
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| Sudden vision lossIf you suddenly lose vision in one or both eyes, seek immediate medical attention, as this can signal a severe underlying condition. | |
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| Chemical burnsChemicals accidentally splashed in the eyes can cause emergency eye problems. If a chemical comes into contact with your eye, put your eye under a stream of lukewarm tap water for several minutes to cleanse the eye and see a doctor as soon as possible. | |
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| Eye bleedingEye bleeding can occur from numerous injuries, including sports injuries, work injuries and bleeding in the eye’s anterior chamber. Depending on the cause, bleeding from the eye can be an emergency, so seeking emergency medical attention is critical. | |
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| Broken facial bones around the eyeSubstantial blunt force trauma can crack or break the facial bones surrounding the eye, requiring emergency medical attention. | |
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| StyesThese small, painful lumps on the edge of the eyelid are caused by bacterial infection. They usually heal on their own but can be treated with warm compresses or antibiotic ointment. | |
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| Extreme eye painSevere pain in the eye can indicate a serious problem that needs prompt care. | |
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| Mild inflammation of the eyelids (blepharitis)This chronic condition involves inflammation of the eyelids, often causing redness, itching, and swelling. Good hygiene and eye care can help manage symptoms. | |
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| Seasonal allergies affecting the eyesAllergies can cause itchy, watery, red eyes. Over-the-counter antihistamines and avoiding allergens can help alleviate these symptoms. | |
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| Double visionDouble vision can signal a significant eye issue or head injury. | |
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| Bulging or swollen eyesThis symptom can be caused by an infection or trauma and needs immediate attention. | |
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| Gritty feeling in one or both eyesProlonged sun exposure can lead to a sunburn on the eye’s front surface, a condition known as photokeratitis. It is a harmful eye injury that feels like sand in the eyes. Photokeratitis is avoidable by wearing sunglasses with polarized lenses that block UVA and UVB rays. | |
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| Eye swelling or black eyesOften seen in athletes, this injury often results in a swollen eyelid with bruising around the eye. Holding an ice pack to the eye can help reduce the swelling. | |
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| Unequal pupil sizesDifferences in pupils can indicate a serious condition requiring urgent evaluation. | |
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| Extreme light sensitivityUnusual sensitivity to light can be a symptom of various serious eye or general medical conditions. | |
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| Extreme eye itching or burningIntense itching or burning can indicate infection or a severe allergic reaction. | |
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| Feeling as though something is in your eyeThis can be a sign of a scratched eye or corneal abrasion, which occurs when foreign objects such as sand, dust, or debris from fireworks scratch the eye’s surface. A corneal abrasion can lead to eye redness, irritation and sensitivity to light, and can result in infection if not treated properly. In severe cases, a corneal abrasion can be an emergency requiring urgent medical attention. | |
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| Penetration by a foreign objectMore severe than a scratched eye, this requires an immediate visit to a doctor to remove the object without causing further damage. | |
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While these conditions are not typically urgent, monitoring symptoms and seeking advice from a medical professional, such as by scheduling an eye exam at your local Visionworks, is essential if symptoms persist or worsen. Regular eye exams can help identify and manage common eye conditions more effectively.
Where Should You Seek Treatment for an Emergency Eye Problem?
Knowing where to go for an emergency eye problem can make a significant difference in getting the proper care quickly. Here’s a quick overview of various medical facilities that provide treatment for emergency eye issues:
- Urgent care: Urgent care centers handle less severe eye issues, like minor eye infections, mild to moderate eye pain, and non-penetrating foreign objects in the eye. They are a good option if you need prompt attention but the situation is not an actual emergency.
- Hospital emergency rooms: For severe eye injuries or symptoms like sudden vision loss, extreme eye pain, chemical burns, or significant trauma to the eye, head to a hospital emergency room. ERs are equipped to deal with the most critical and complex eye emergencies and can provide immediate, comprehensive care.
- Eye care professionals: For ongoing eye care and less urgent issues, schedule an appointment at your local Visionworks. They can handle conditions like pink eye, styes, and other non-emergency eye problems. Regular eye exams with these professionals can also help prevent emergencies by catching issues early.
5 Easy Eye Protection Tips
Finally, we’ve reached the eye protection tips! As mentioned, many eye injuries can be prevented with the proper equipment and safety measures. Take care to prevent eye injuries when working in the yard, doing DIY projects, playing, or exercising. Here are important ways to protect your eyes in any situation:
Wear Goggles
Are you doing construction or working on a project at home? If so, wear polarized and impact-resistant lenses, goggles, or safety glasses while working on the project. This will protect your eyes from solar damage, flying particles, objects, and chemicals you may be exposed to.
Eye injury prevention practices are fundamental in occupations with a high eye injury risk. More than 2,000 people sustain eye injuries daily while at work. Even more shocking, 10–20% of work-related eye injuries cause temporary or permanent vision loss. If you work in a field with a high risk of eye injury, wearing the appropriate protective eyewear will help keep your eyes safe and injury-free.
Supervise your child’s activities
Objects like pencils, scissors, forks, and knives may seem harmless for adults, but they can become dangerous when little kids are involved. Even household objects like paper clips and coat hangers can cause eye damage, so do your best to supervise your child around such items.
Wear impact-resistant glasses for sports
If you or your child wear prescription glasses, you must wear them during sports and exercise. However, these activities can make you more susceptible to eye injury, and regular eyeglass lenses can shatter upon impact, resulting in eye injuries. Be sure to wear glasses resistant to impact when you participate, including prescription and non-prescription sports glasses and goggles.
Be careful during celebrations
Fireworks and champagne are exciting ways to celebrate holidays or significant life events, but they can also cause eye injuries. Take caution when lighting fireworks, popping a cork, or doing anything else involving flying objects. Keep a safe distance and point the object away from your face and everyone else’s during use.
Use chemicals cautiously
When it’s time to clean the house, read the labels on all your chemical cleaners. Keep the chemicals away from your eyes, don’t mix products and store the chemicals out of reach of small children.
Types of Protective Eyewear
On to the final stretch! Let’s finish this off with the recommended protective eyewear. According to eye doctors and experts, about 90% of accidental eye injuries can be prevented by wearing appropriate protective eyewear. All eyewear used for protective purposes should have impact-resistant lenses. It’s important to note that safety eyewear is typically made with glass, plastic, or polycarbonate lenses. Polycarbonate lenses are the most impact-resistant of these three lens types. There are several options for safety eyewear:
- Sunglasses with polarized lenses offer protection from sunlight and ultraviolet radiation. More durable protective eyewear is needed when working with materials, tools, and chemicals.
- Safety glasses are available in both prescription and non-prescription. Side shields or safety goggles are strongly recommended when working with dust, flying particles, or chemicals.
- Safety goggles ensure full eye protection, including peripheral protection. They can also be worn over prescription glasses to protect the eyes.
- Face shields or welding helmets provide full face or head protection and are used for working in conditions with a high risk of injury from flying objects and molten metal.
Selecting the right protective eyewear for a specific job or activity is essential. If you’re unsure, consult your eye doctor to determine the optimal choice for protecting your eyes.
Play It Safe with Protective Eyewear
Following these tips will make you less likely to experience harmful eye injuries when working, playing, or exercising. Do everything you can to protect your eyes, and you’ll enjoy excellent vision for a lifetime.
Visionworks is committed to promoting eye health and safety and providing helpful tips and information to protect your eyes. To find the best protective eyewear and impact-resistant prescription lenses for you, schedule a consultation at your local Visionworks and book an eye exam online!
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Information received through Visionworks® content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, medical recommendations, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your eye doctor, physician, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Claims regarding blue light efficiency are supported by manufacturer-provided test results.
