Emergency Eye Care
While some eye emergencies require an immediate trip to the emergency room, many urgent eye care problems are best handled by an expert optometrist. Use your best judgment to determine whether you need to visit the emergency room. We are qualified to remove foreign bodies from the eye and to deal with eye allergies, which are common reasons people visit the emergency room for eye care.
It is important to see an eye doctor right away if you are experiencing acute eye issues. Emergency eye problems can range from mild to severe and escalate quickly. Neglecting to seek out emergency eye care may lead to serious or potentially long-term damage to your eyes.
Eye emergencies can manifest with a variety of symptoms, including a sudden change in vision, loss of vision, blurry vision, or irregular eye movements. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact our office right away. Acute eye issues may also cause eye discharge, red or bloodshot eyes, extreme sensitivity to light, burning or stinging eyes, or itchy eyes. Do not delay in seeking out care if you are experiencing a sudden onset of these symptoms.
We can accommodate many eye emergencies, including the following:
- Eye infections, such as pink eye
- Eye allergies
- A foreign body or material in the eye
- Scratched eye
- Dislodged contact lens
- Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
- A sudden increase in the number of eye floaters
- Flashes of light in your vision
- Red or painful eyes
- Uncomfortable, irritated, or itchy eyes
Contributing factors to these issues can include eye infections, damage to the retina, or having an object stuck in your eye. Because some problems can be contagious or get worse as time goes on, it is important to seek out care right away. Take these steps to avoid making the problem worse:
- Wash your hands to help avoid spreading infection.
- Do not try to remove something stuck in your eye.
- If you get chemicals in your eye, flush your eyes with water for 15 minutes and don’t cover the affected eye.
- If you have sustained a blow to the eye, use a cold compress to prevent swelling.
- Do not drive or operate machinery if your vision is impaired.
Emergency Eye Care Services at Primary Eye Care
At Primary Eye Care of Arlington and South Main, we will provide you with the best treatment for your urgent eye health needs to help ensure you have a safe and speedy recovery. During the eye exam, your doctor will get a full picture of the issue and its potential causes. Depending on the type of emergency, this exam may involve specialized tests for accurate diagnosis. Once your doctor has a better idea of the issue at hand, we will create a treatment plan. This plan may include eye drops or other remedies to promote your recovery. Many eye issues resolve quickly with proper care and attention. Your doctor will equip you with what you need for optimal healing.
If you suspect you need emergency eye care, do not wait. Call our office today to get the help you need from our qualified doctor.