Emergency Eye Care at The Optometrists' Clinic
If you have sudden vision problems or other eye-related distress, you may wonder whether to take immediate action. At Optometrists’ Clinic Inc., we understand that eye care emergencies happen irrespective of your schedule. Your eyesight is incredibly valuable, so you should address any issues that could jeopardize it right away to avoid any further harm. If you’re experiencing an emergency such as persistent or sudden eye pain, contact our clinics in Edmonton, Leduc, or Westlock immediately.
Common Eye Care Emergencies
Here’s an overview of some of the most common eye injuries we see come through our doors:
- Corneal abrasions: A corneal abrasion is a scratch on the surface of the cornea, usually caused by foreign objects like dust, dirt or contact lenses.
- Iritis: Iritis is a condition that causes your iris — the coloured part of your eye — to become inflamed. It usually presents with a painful, red, light-sensitive eye and can sometimes be due to trauma or abrasion.
- Burns: Flash burns can occur due to exposure to intense light, such as welding or sunlight. Chemical burns occur when the eye comes into contact with irritating substances like bleach. First aid by immediately flushing the eye extensively with water should be performed if any concerning substance enters the eye.
- Foreign objects: The presence of a foreign object in the eye, such as metal, dust, or an errant eyelash, can cause significant discomfort.
- Conjunctivitis: Also known as pink eye, conjunctivitis occurs when the tissue that lines the front of the eye and the underside of the eyelid becomes infected and inflamed. It’s often caused by allergies or viral or bacterial infections.
- Blepharitis: Blepharitis occurs when the oil glands around the edge of your eye become infected or inflamed.
Symptoms of an Eye Emergency
- Severe eye pain
- Sudden vision changes
- Discharge from the eye
- Severe itching, burning or stinging
- Redness and irritation
- Light sensitivity
Immediately contact our office if you have any of these symptoms, especially if they’re severe or persistent.
What to do if you have an eye emergency
- Chemicals into the eyes should be flushed out immediately with any available water.
- Don’t rub or put pressure on the affected eye, as this may worsen the condition or cause further damage.
- If you think you have a foreign object in your eye, avoid touching or attempting to remove it yourself. Gently rinse your eye with clean water.
- If you have a cut or puncture, protect it from further injury or contamination by covering your eye with a clean, sterile bandage or cloth without applying pressure.
In any case, immediately contact an emergency eye doctor for a prompt checkup and targeted treatment.
Emergency Optometrists in the Greater Edmonton Area
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