Types of Eye Emergencies

Most of us don’t fully realize just how much we rely on our eyes each day. From the moment we wake to the moment we go to sleep, we use them to navigate through our day, doing everything from simply moving around and basic self-care tasks, to driving and keeping us safe. Unfortunately, our eyes are very delicate and just as likely to be affected by injury in the case of an accident or sudden illness. Since we are so heavily reliant on our sight, it’s crucial that if you experience a problem that you suspect could be an emergency situation, you seek help from your eye doctor right away.

Many people are surprised to learn just how many different types of eye emergencies can occur. Let’s find out more about what is likely to cause an eye emergency and what are the most common causes of visits to the emergency eye doctor.

 

Common Causes of Eye Injuries

Eye traumas can occur at any time, often when we least expect them. However, there are certain work environments and activities that can increase your risk of experiencing an eye injury. If you are working in the following industries/jobs, you should make safety eyewear a priority (and if it isn’t, speak to your manager or HR contact):
 

• Construction

• Manufacturing

• Mining

• Carpentry

• Auto-repair

• Medical care

• Maintenance

• Welding

• Plumbing

• Electrical work

You are also more likely to experience an eye injury if you play either contact sports or ball sports such as baseball, ice hockey, and soccer.

 

Common Eye Emergencies

The following represent some of the most common eye emergencies that we see at our eye care offices.

A foreign body lodged in the eye

We’ve all had something stuck in our eyes at some point in our lifetime, and usually, a quick clean or gentle rub of the eye is enough to dislodge it. However, if it is something a little bigger or more stubborn, you may need professional treatment to help. Don’t rub your eye or try to remove the object from it yourself. Cover it with a shield, paper cup or similar to protect it and see your eye doctor as soon as you can.

Chemical burns to the eyes

Whether you have accidentally sprayed something into your eye (such as furniture polish or cleaning spray), or you have transferred a chemical to your eyes with your hands, a chemical burn can have serious, sometimes irreversible consequences for your vision. Whilst you should rinse your eyes at home immediately, you should still contact your emergency eye doctor right away.

Sudden changes to your vision

Sometimes our vision can become very blurred or otherwise compromised for what seems like no reason. You may find that you see double, have floaters or flashing in their vision, have a headache or are particularly tired. If you experience any sudden changes to your vision, it’s important not to ignore them and get your vision checked by your eye doctor.

Our experienced eye care team at Volusia Eye Associates in New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater FL can deal with all manner of eye emergencies. Put our contact number into your cell phone today so that you have peace of mind that if an eye emergency arises, we can give you the care and support you need right away!