What To Do In Case of an Eye Emergency

Submitted by Elman Retina Group on June 18, 2018

Eye emergency treatment in BaltimoreEye emergencies are scary enough, but not knowing what to do in case of one only adds to one’s anxiety and nerves. Elman Retina Group offers retinal care and emergency eye care to our patients in Baltimore and the surrounding area. Here, our trusted ophthalmologist Dr. Michael J. Elman shares important information on eye emergencies, including signs to look out for and steps to take.

Symptoms of an Eye Emergency

An eye emergency occurs any time you have a foreign object or chemical in the eye, sustain an eye injury or experience a sudden pain or vision loss. The following symptoms may indicate an emergency that requires immediate medical attention:

  • Sudden vision loss or blurry vision
  • Burning, stinging pain around, on or in the eye
  • Bulging of the eye
  • Paralysis of the eye or eyelids
  • Sudden floaters or light flashes
  • Difference in the size of pupil
  • Bleeding from, in or around the eye
  • Double vision
  • Sudden light sensitivity
  • Sudden or severe swelling around the eye
  • Severe itchiness
  • Discharge from the eye
  • Bruising around the eye

What To Do and Not To Do During an Eye Emergency

The first thing you should do if you think you have an eye emergency is to seek medical attention. Here are a few guidelines to follow as you await emergency care:

For chemical burns:

  • Immediately flush the eye with water. Hold the eye under a faucet or pour water into the eye using a clean container. Do not bandage the eye.

For a black eye (blow to the eye):

  • Apply a cold compress to manage pain and swelling. Do not apply pressure.

For cuts or punctures:

  • Place a shield over the eye, do not apply pressure. Do not rinse with water. Do not take aspirin or medications that may increase bleeding.

For all eye injuries:

  • Do not apply pressure to the eye.
  • Do not rub the eye.
  • Do not try to remove foreign objects stuck in the eye.
  • Do not apply ointments or other medications to the eye.

Elman Retina Group is invested in your eye health. Our trusted retina specialist Dr. Elman has over 30 years of experience diagnosing and treating a range of eye injuries and conditions that affect the macula, retina and vitreous. He and our world-class team at Elman Retina Group are trained and experienced in utilizing cutting-edge technology to provide safe and precise treatment and care. Rest assured that your eyes and vision are in good hands with us.

If you believe you have an eye emergency, please do not hesitate to call our office immediately. If you call us after office hours, our answering service will page our doctor on call who will return your call as soon as possible and advise you on what to do next.

To contact Elman Retina Group, please call (410) 686-3000 or email our office today.