How to Know If You Need an Emergency Eye Doctor

There are times when you cannot wait until your next annual eye exam to see the doctor. These times require urgent eye care and could result in complications or vision loss if you do not get it. 

Pain is just one of the indicators of an eye emergency. There are many situations where pain does not present. How do you know that you need urgent eye care or an emergency eye doctor?

Changes in Vision

Sudden and noticeable changes in vision can be an indicator of other conditions. It could be nerve damage, stroke, or other neurological issues. However, these changes to your vision often indicate a corneal or retinal defect that can cause vision loss without treatment. Floating spots and flashing lights depict retinal detachment. You may also have corneal swelling or an infection that can lead to vision loss.

Red Eye

A red eye that also has discharge needs urgent medical attention. It could be a viral or bacterial infection. However, an eye doctor can differentiate between the two. Bacterial infections will respond to antibiotics, but viral infections will not.

The issue may escalate to become corneal infiltrates without proper treatment. These corneal infiltrates develop opaque spots on the cornea that appear after a few weeks of having pink eye. You need the services of an emergency eye doctor to avoid vision loss.

Injury

Accidents can cause serious injury to your eyes. You should seek immediate medical attention if you notice any. However trivial you may think an injury after an accident is, let a doctor check it.

Some signs of serious injuries include pain, swelling, light sensitivity, redness, and double vision. Without proper treatment, your injuries may lead to vision loss.

As you wait to receive medical attention, put a cold compress over the injury to reduce swelling and pain. Avoid cleaning the eye if there is a puncture or cut, and secure any objects protruding from the eye. Cover the injured eye with the protruding object using a paper cup.

Bulging Eyes

Bulging eyes could be indicative of conditions like Graves’ disease. It could also result from eye socket problems. These include tumors, inflammation, and bacterial infection, which can spread from the socket and affect the brain. Without treatment, it can result in vision loss.

Eye Discharge

Discharge can be indicative of an infection. Infections can affect the eye and cause vision loss. When you realize there is discharge from the eye, seek immediate medical attention. The treatment could make a difference and preserve your sight.

Headaches

Headaches could be due to stress. However, they could also be indicative of severe eye disease. Seek medical attention for chronic headaches, especially those emanating from the forehead. You could catch an age-related eye disease in its early stages and mitigate vision loss.

Light Sensitivity

Light sensitivity is uncomfortable, and it can be painful. It is easy to decide to wait for it to resolve itself. But as you wait, the eye condition may become worse. It is an indicator of early onset cataracts and glaucoma in young people. So the earlier you seek medical attention, the earlier you will receive treatment and mitigate vision loss.

For more information on getting emergency eye care, visit Battle Born Eye Care at our Reno, Nevada office. Call (775) 360-6446 to schedule an appointment today.