What is Considered an Ocular Emergency?

The eyes are an integral and sensitive part of your body. They are essential to give you the vision necessary to complete daily activities like writing, reading, and driving. However, they can get injured easily. The simplest thing can cause an ocular emergency. Ocular emergencies are not typical eye conditions or diseases. They occur suddenly and can affect your vision very fast.

Ocular Emergencies

An ocular emergency is an eye trauma or a sudden onset of symptoms affecting your eyes. Various conditions and injuries can damage your eye. You should seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following:
 

• A foreign object stuck in your eye

• Eye pain

• Split contacts in your eye

• Bleeding eye

• Cut or scratched eyelid or eye

• Blood in the white of your eye

• Severe itching, stinging, or burning eyes

• Bulging or swollen eye

• Eye discharge

• Vision loss

• You get hit in your eye

• Double vision

• Different size pupils

• Severe light sensitivity

• A sudden or new increase in floaters or eye flashes

What Not to Do

Ocular emergencies can cause complications because of the eye’s sensitivity. It is essential to be careful and avoid treating the injury on your own. Most people think they can do something to save the situation but make it worse.

Avoid applying pressure or rubbing your eyes. Do not try to remove any foreign object stuck in the eye. Do not use tools like tweezers. Instead, use cotton swabs outside or inside your eyelids.

Avoid putting ointments or medications in your eyes in an ocular emergency. Do not attempt removing your contacts if you get an eye injury. Doing so can worsen the situation. However, it is okay to remove them if you suffer a chemical burn and rinsing your eyes does not flush them out.

Seek Medical Professional Help

Always contact an eye expert in an ocular emergency. They will ensure they prioritize the safety of your eyes by offering immediate treatment. Attempting to treat the injury yourself can lead to worse complications.

What to Expect

Your eye doctor will examine your eyes and conduct vision tests and eye movement assessments. They will also use specialized equipment and eye drops to examine your eye structures and the pressure within your eyes.

Prevention

Eye injuries can happen at any time and anywhere. They often occur without notice and suddenly. Thus, protecting your sensitive eyes is essential. There are different ways to ensure eye protection. Wear protective eyewear when playing high-risk sports or using power tools. Ensure you are cautious when using cleaning products, chemicals, oil, or grease for cooking.

Keep sharp objects such as knives and scissors away from small children and out of their reach. Avoid allowing them to use or play with projectile toys like pellet guns or darts. Wear sunglasses whenever outdoors and childproof your home by cushioning or removing sharp edges.

For more information about ocular emergencies, visit Electric City Eye Care at our office in Anderson, South Carolina. Call (864) 224-2088 to book an appointment today.