Eye Emergencies– Belmont, MA

Traumatic Eye Injury/Accidents

Trauma is a common cause for eye emergencies. Avoid rubbing your eye and gently place a protective cover over it to shield it until you receive treatment. Avoid rinsing it with water and don’t take any anti-inflammatory pain medications that could encourage bleeding.

Foreign Body or Chemical Burn

Getting small, natural particles like dirt or sand in your eye isn’t usually an emergency. However, glass, metal, or other man-made materials can cause serious damage. Be sure to avoid touching your eye and wash it with a saline solution or running tap water.

Noticeable Vision Changes

Fluctuating vision changes are a common sign of diabetes or high blood pressure. When left unaddressed, it can result in permanent vision loss, which is why time is of the essence for treatment.

Red Eye

Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, can be a result of several different causes, including allergies, bacteria, and viruses. Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis are highly contagious and may need to be treated with antibiotics or topical prescriptions.

Different-Sized Pupils (Pupil Anisocoria)

Different-sized pupils can indicate serious and dangerous medical conditions if they occur after an injury or in combination with other symptoms. It could indicate physical ocular damage or a disease that’s affecting the iris or pupil.

Bulging Eyes (Proptosis/Exophthalmos)

Thyroid disease can often cause eye bulge. If it’s not treated in a timely manner, the infection could spread from the eye socket to other areas of the body. This is also a sign of other underlying conditions, such as hyperthyroidism.

I’m Seeing Floating Spots in My Vision; Should I Be Worried?

Many people see black or grey specks or strings drifting about in their vision. These spots are called eye floaters, and they usually appear as your eyes change with age. A few floaters are nothing to worry about, especially if you have already had them for a long time. However, if you notice many new floaters all at once, it could be a sign of retinal detachment, especially if they’re accompanied by flashes of light or an apparent shadow in your vision. Retinal detachment should be treated immediately, so call our office right away for an appointment.

What Should I Do If I Get Chemicals in My Eyes?

First, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water; that way you won’t get additional chemicals in your eyes during the following steps. Turn your head so that the affected eye is down, hold open the eyelid, and flush with cool tap water for 15 minutes. (This can be done in the shower if it would be easier.) If you’re wearing contact lenses, remove them after you’re done flushing if they haven’t come out already. Get emergency care as soon as possible.

How Can I Remove Foreign Objects from My Eyes?

When small foreign objects get caught in your eye, you can often remove them easily by blinking or rinsing the area with cool water or saline solution. If these simple methods do not work, or if the object is simply too large, call our office for help. Do not attempt to remove it on your own, as you could end up doing permanent damage to your eyes. Cover the eye with a plastic cup (or another similar object) to protect it until your emergency appointment.

What Should I Not Do If I Have an Eye Injury?

Do not put medications or ointments directly into your eye, and avoid rubbing the area if you can. Try not to put any pressure on the eye, as this could cause pain and further injury. Never use tweezers or other objects to remove foreign objects in your eyes. If you’re wearing contacts, leave them in unless they have been exposed to chemicals.

What Does It Mean If I Lose Vision in One Eye?

Sudden vision loss is often caused by a loss of blood flow; you might be in danger of having a stroke. Call the emergency room right away for help. We can treat any existing vision problems as soon as your life is no longer in danger.