Common Eye Injuries
An eye emergency can happen in many different ways. Sudden infections, blunt trauma, or rapid vision changes can all constitute an emergency. However, no matter what the issue, we are happy to help.
If you’ve been hit in the head, face, or neck, you should seek immediate medical attention. Suffering a blow above the shoulders may result in more than just a black eye. A blunt trauma injury can cause:
- Globe rupture
- Traumatic glaucoma
- Hyphema
- Orbital floor fracture
- Foreign object in the eye
- Scleral disruption
- Vitreous hemorrhage
- Retrobulbar hematoma
It’s best to visit your optometrist or health care professional if you’ve suffered an injury, even if it seems mild.
Small objects like dust, dirt, or hair can get into your eye and cause discomfort and irritation. You should be able to remove any small object from your eye by blinking or rinsing them with artificial tears or water. Small objects stuck in your eye usually don’t constitute an eye emergency, but in some cases, they may scratch the surface of your eye and require special eye drops.
Larger objects, like glass or metal, can cause significant damage to your eye and should be dealt with professionally. Never attempt to remove a large object embedded in your eye by yourself, as you may cause more damage unwittingly.
If you’ve got something large in your eye, please go to your nearest emergency room.
Flashes and floaters are a regular part of ageing, but they can come as a surprise if you’ve never experienced them before. However, if you’re suddenly seeing flashes and floaters frequently, it may be a sign of a more serious issue, like retinal detachment.
It’s important to discuss all aspects of your ocular health with your optometrist, so if you’re seeing flashes or floaters, please bring it up in your next eye exam.
