Emergency Eye Care in Cincinnati
Eye emergencies can happen suddenly, so it’s important to know what to do if you or a loved one needs urgent care.
Stay calm. Staying calm helps you think clearly and reassures those around you.
Do not attempt to judge the severity of an eye injury on your own. Contact your eye doctor for guidance. At White Oak Vision Center in Cincinnati, we treat a wide range of eye emergencies.
It’s not always necessary to visit an emergency room for eye care. Studies show that most people who seek urgent eye care in an emergency room can be treated by an optometrist.
Use your judgment. If you think you need to head to the nearest emergency room, don’t delay.
What is an Eye Emergency?
An eye emergency is anything that puts your eyes or vision at risk of permanent damage.
The most common types of eye emergencies include:
- Eye infection
- Foreign object stuck in the eye
- Eye trauma
- Scratch on the eye
- Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
- Lost contact lens in the eye
- Shattered eyeglass lenses
- Sudden appearance of light flashes or floaters
Is an Eye Infection an Emergency?
While infections like conjunctivitis (pink eye) usually don’t require emergency care, you should see your eye doctor promptly for diagnosis and treatment.
Symptoms That Require Urgent Eye Care
- Sudden loss of vision
- Sudden double vision
- Sudden eye pain
- New onset of light flashes and/or floaters
- Foreign body in the eye
- Chemicals in the eye
- Swelling or pain after eye surgery
What to Do if Something Gets Into Your Eye?
A foreign body can be anything from an eyelash or a speck of sand to a metal shard, blade of grass, or piece of wood. No matter what the object is, it’s critical to have it removed quickly to reduce your risk of serious injury or infection.
The eyes are delicate, and improper removal can lead to serious complications. Seek urgent eye care if you cannot flush out the object with water or saline.
If you think a foreign body has penetrated your eye, or you notice any blood or discharge coming from your eye, contact your eye doctor immediately. After describing what happened, your eye doctor may send you to an emergency room.
What To Do If You Have an Eye Emergency?
Contact White Oak Vision Center in Cincinnati for an emergency eye care appointment. If you’re unsure whether your symptoms are an emergency, call us. Delaying treatment can increase the risk of complications and vision loss.
Until you see your eye doctor or seek urgent care:
- Don’t press on or rub an injured eye
- Don’t attempt to remove a foreign body on your own
- Don’t use dry cotton (including cotton swabs) or sharp instruments (such as tweezers) on the eye
- Don’t attempt to remove an embedded object
Call our office in Cincinnati for emergency eye care.