Eye Emergencies

Lincoln Vision Care

What are eye emergencies?

Eye emergencies can be caused by a number of things, including trauma, foreign object in the eye, chemical exposure and infections. Symptoms will vary depending on the underlying cause but can include pain, redness, swelling, discharge, blurred vision and light sensitivity. Any sudden onset of vision problems should be considered an emergency that requires immediate attention, as they may be a symptom of a serious condition such as a stroke.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical care immediately. At Premier Vision, Dr Novak has the training and equipment that  will be able to determine the cause of your symptoms and provide the appropriate treatment. In some cases, such as a corneal abrasion, treatment may be as simple as using eye drops or ointment. More serious eye emergencies like retinal detachment may require surgery.

Common eye emergencies

The following conditions are some of the most common eye emergencies:
Corneal abrasion: A corneal abrasion is a scratch on the surface of the eye. It is usually caused by a foreign body, such as dust or sand. Symptoms include pain, tearing, redness and light sensitivity.

• Chemical burn: A chemical burn to the eye can be caused by a number of things, including cleaning solutions, shampoo, pool chlorine and battery acid. Symptoms include severe pain, redness, watering and swelling.
• Conjunctivitis: Conjunctivitis, or pink eye, is an infection of the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye. It is usually caused by a virus or bacteria. Symptoms include redness, watering, itchiness and discharge. Though common, eye infections may lead to a corneal ulcer or other long term eye problems.
• Foreign body: A foreign body is any object that is stuck in the eye. Common causes include dust, sand and metal shavings. Symptoms include pain, tearing and redness.
• Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that can damage the optic nerve. It is usually caused by high pressure in the eye. Symptoms include headaches, nausea, vomiting, pain and blurred vision.
• Retinal detachment: The retina is the layer of tissue at the back of the eye that detects light and sends images to the brain. A retinal detachment occurs when the retina pulls away from the back of the eye. It is usually caused by trauma or surgery. Symptoms include floaters, flashes and vision loss.
• Trauma: Eye trauma can be caused by a number of things, including car accidents, sports injuries and falls.

Symptoms will vary depending on the severity of the injury but can include pain, swelling, discharge and vision loss.

How can I prevent an eye injury?

Taking steps to prevent eye injuries can help reduce your risk of experiencing an eye emergency. Wearing eye protection when participating in activities with a risk of eye injury, such as athletic events or using power tools, is one of the best ways to protect your eyesight. In addition, always handling chemicals and other potentially hazardous materials with care can help prevent chemical burns.

If you do experience an eye emergency, don’t try to treat it yourself. Seek immediate medical attention by contacting our offices at (402) 986-7856 or by proceeding to the nearest emergency department to ensure the best possible outcome for your vision.

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