Eye emergencies require immediate attention, and ignoring symptoms like sudden vision loss, severe pain, or seeing flashes of light can lead to
irreversible damage or blindness.
Here are some eye injuries that can never be ignored. They are:
Eye injury
On the off chance if one get hit or jabbed in the eye, their eye might have a scratched cornea. After the incident, try washing the eye with saline or clean water to check whether the disturbance disappears. A scratched cornea often improves immediately when appropriately treated.
If the issue persists, then there is a need to see an optometrist.
Cuts and scratches
If in case, there have a cut or scratch to the eyeball or eyelid, one need immediate medical consideration. He/She may apply a bandage while waiting for the doctor, however it is necessary to be careful and should not apply pressure on the injury.
Persistent black eye
People ordinarily get a black eye when something hits the eye. Under the skin, bleeding causes discolouration. It’s better to see the eye specialist if one have a black eye.
Vision changes
Abrupt or observable vision change should be addressed on time. Vision changes frequently show a retinal or corneal error that can cause vision loss if left untreated.
Pink or red eyes
Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is normal and can frequently improve all alone. Nonetheless, there are times when extreme pinkness or redness in the eyes implies that there is a need for eye care immediately.
Chemical injuries to the eyes
Chemical injuries happen while cleaning things or industrial synthetics get into the eyes. Anyone can likewise experience burns into the eyes.
If one get acid in the eye, early treatment can save them from vision loss.
One should immediately seek medical/eye emergency care if someone experience the following symptoms:
Eye burn
One eye not moving like the other
Diminished or twofold vision
Sensitivity to light
Blood in the white of the eye
Discharge from the eye
Violent itching
New or extreme migraines
Serious eye problems that can never be ignored:
1. Sudden blurry/distorted vision
This symptom may be the most obvious one for patients to notice.
If one experience sudden blurriness or a distortion in vision, like a straight line that appears wavy, consult the eye doctor immediately.
Sudden blurry vision can affect either the peripheral vision or the central vision, and can be a sign of many very serious eye conditions.
Some of these conditions require immediate attention from an eye care professional in order to prevent permanent total or partial blindness.
Conditions that may cause blurry or distorted vision include:
Detached retina
Angle-closure glaucoma
Corneal infection
Wet age-related macular degeneration
Macular edema
Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
Diabetic retinopathy
2. Swelling around the eye
Inflammation and irritation of the eyelids and the tissues surrounding the eye can cause the eye to swell and become discolored.
Swelling around the eye can be caused by anywhere on the head, face or neck, or from a mild to severe allergic reaction to bug bites, pollen, animal dander or other allergens and irritants in the environment. Usually, the swelling goes down as the affected area heals, or the allergens causing the swelling are removed.
However, if swelling persists over a longer period of time, this may be a sign of a more serious issue, such as:
Black eye
Corneal ulcer
Graves’ disease
Cellulitis
Scleritis
Blocked tear duct
Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
Blepharitis
3. Headaches
Headaches can feel different depending on what is causing them. Individuals can feel a dull ache or sharp pain behind their eyes or in the temples.
Headaches can come and go quickly, or they can linger for hours or days.
However, if regular headache medications aren’t working and the pain persists, it is advisable to consult healthcare professionals.
4. Red eyes
When the eyes become irritated or inflamed, the blood vessels expand, causing the white parts of the eyes to appear pink or red. This can be caused by a number of factors, including allergies, smoke and pollutants in the air around us. If suddenly noticed red eyes, one may have an eye
condition that, in serious cases, can potentially cause long-term eye damage and even blindness.
Injuries and conditions that can cause extended red eye are:
Uveitis
Blepharitis
Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
Glaucoma
5. Night blindness
Normally the eye is well equipped to handle low- light situations. The pupil will expand to take in as much available light as possible, allowing us to see in poorly-lit environments.
Some serious eye conditions limit the eye’s ability to take in this light or to process it, making it difficult to see at night or in dimly lit environments.
Conditions that can cause night blindness include:
Nystagmus
Glaucoma
Cataracts
Retinitis pigmentosa
