Eye emergency: when to see a doctor? - Dr. Mehran Zarei Kanavati

Knowing eye danger signs is essential for every person. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should go to the nearest emergency room or ophthalmologist without delay. These conditions are a clear example of eye emergency and should not be ignored:

Sudden loss of vision

Sudden reduction or loss of vision in one or both eyes, either complete or partial (eg, seeing a large blind spot or loss of peripheral vision), is a serious medical emergency. This can be a sign of serious problems such as retinal stroke, retinal detachment, or optic neuropathy.

Severe eye pain

Any severe, sudden, and unbearable pain in the eye, especially if accompanied by redness, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, or headache, requires immediate medical evaluation. This can be a sign of acute glaucoma (sudden increase in eye pressure), severe infection (such as keratitis), or inflammation of the inside of the eye.

Severe and persistent redness of the eye

While mild eye redness may be caused by fatigue or allergies, severe and persistent redness that is accompanied by pain, purulent discharge, sensitivity to light, or decreased vision can be a sign of serious infections (such as bacterial or viral keratitis), intraocular inflammation (such as uveitis), or even corneal ulceration.

Read more: types of eyelid infection and ways to treat it

Sensitivity to light (photophobia)

Sudden and severe sensitivity to light, especially if accompanied by eye pain, redness or blurred vision, is a warning sign and can be caused by corneal infections, eye inflammations such as uveitis.

Seeing bright sparks or new flycatchers

If you suddenly start seeing flashes of light (like lightning) or a lot of flies (black dots or moving strings in the field of vision), this could be a sign of retinal detachment, which is a real emergency and can lead to permanent blindness if not treated in time.

A sudden change in the pupil of the eye

A sudden change in the size or shape of the pupil of one eye (for example, one pupil is larger or smaller than the other, or an irregular shape), especially if it is accompanied by a headache, blurred vision, or double vision, can be a sign of nerve damage or brain problems and should be seen by an eye doctor immediately.

Double vision or sudden blurred vision

Diploma (seeing two images of the same object) or sudden blurred vision that does not improve on its own can be a sign of neurological problems, stroke, or other emergency conditions that affect the visual pathways.

The presence of a foreign body in the eye

If a foreign object, such as a piece of metal, glass, wood or sand, enters the eye with pressure and does not come out, do not try to remove it yourself. This condition is an emergency and should be seen by a doctor immediately to prevent further damage or infection.

Chemical or physical damage

Sprinkling chemicals (acid, base, detergents) into the eye or receiving a strong impact (such as a punch, accident, fall) to the eye requires an immediate visit to an ophthalmologist. In the case of chemicals, immediate and continuous washing of the eyes with clean water (for at least 15-20 minutes) is the first and most necessary action, but after that you must go to the emergency room.

First steps until reaching the doctor

In the case of a vision emergency, some basic measures can help save your vision until you get to the eye doctor:

• For chemical burns: Immediately wash the eye with clean water (preferably lukewarm) for at least 15-20 minutes. Keep the eye open and let the water flow over it. Then go to the emergency room immediately.
• For non-absorbable foreign bodies: If the foreign body is small and superficial and does not come out on its own with blinking or tears, you can try to gently remove it from the corner of the eye with a clean, damp cloth or sterile ear swab. Never do this with your fingertips or sharp tools. If it doesn't come out or if it causes pain, don't manipulate it and see a doctor.
• For embedded objects or severe eye trauma: Never remove the embedded object. Do not rub the eye. Gently cover the eye with a protector (such as a plastic cup placed over the eye and secured with tape) to prevent further pressure. Go to the emergency room immediately.
• For other emergency symptoms (such as vision loss, severe pain): Avoid rubbing the eyes. Try to stay calm and seek medical attention immediately.

Conclusion

Eyes are one of our most precious blessings that should be well taken care of. Knowing the difference between minor eye problems and eye emergencies can play a vital role in preserving our vision. Any signs of danger to the eye, such as sudden and severe pain, decreased vision, seeing bright flashes or new flies, severe trauma or exposure to chemicals, should not be ignored and require immediate referral to an ophthalmologist. Remember that in many cases, the speed of the action is very important and determines the final result. So, if you see any of these warning signs, visit the best ophthalmologist without delay.

Frequently asked questions about eye emergencies

1. Does every redness of the eye mean an emergency?

No, not all cases of red eye are emergencies. Mild redness from fatigue, allergies, or minor irritation is usually not serious. But severe redness with pain, reduced vision, discharge or sensitivity to light requires an immediate examination by an ophthalmologist.

2. What should we do if chemicals enter the eyes?

Immediately wash the eye with clean water (preferably lukewarm) for at least 15-20 minutes and then go to the emergency room or ophthalmologist immediately. Washing quickly is the most critical action.

3. If we have a small foreign body in the eye, can we remove it ourselves?

If the object is small and superficial and does not come out without much effort with tears or blinking, you can gently remove it using a clean ear swab or the corner of a damp cloth. But if it is accompanied by pain, severe redness, or a feeling of indentation, do not manipulate it and see a doctor.

4. Eye pain without loss of vision, is it always dangerous?

Not always, but it can be dangerous. Mild pain may be caused by tiredness or dry eyes. But severe and sudden pain, even without vision loss, can be a sign of acute glaucoma or serious inflammation and requires immediate evaluation.

5. What is the difference between an ophthalmologist and an optometrist in emergency cases?

Ophthalmologist is a specialist doctor who can diagnose, treat, perform surgery and prescribe medicine for eye diseases. An optometrist is an optometrist who can diagnose refractive errors and prescribe glasses or lenses. In emergency cases that require medical diagnosis and treatment (especially surgery or special drugs), it is necessary to see an ophthalmologist.

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