What to do in an eye emergency

Unfortunately, accidents and injuries happen. When an eye injury occurs, you may find yourself asking, “Who should I see in an eye emergency?” or, “What is considered an eye emergency?”

It can be challenging to know if you should go to your eye doctor, your primary medical physician, or the emergency room for help. Let’s look at the difference between types of eye care and what to do if you experience an eye emergency.

Emergency eye care vs routine eye care

Emergency eye care is needed when you experience an eye injury that impacts your eye and/or causes a sudden change in vision. Sometimes a trip to the eye doctor is the right choice, while other times, a healthcare professional should be your first stop.

Routine eye care refers to general eye appointments and checkups. These are usually scheduled in advance with your eye doctor, and they’ll perform an eye exam to check your vision, assess the overall health of your eyes, and manage any chronic ocular conditions you may have, like glaucoma.

Types of eye injuries and their causes

Eye injuries can occur anywhere: at home, at work, while playing sports, or when spending time outdoors. A variety of events can cause injury to the eye.

Common types and causes of eye injuries include:

• Blunt force trauma, such as getting hit in the face with a ball or other object.

• Puncture wounds, which can occur when an object like a stick or fishing hook gets lodged in the eye.

• Eye irritation, which can occur when a foreign substance like dirt or chemicals enters the eyes.

Not all eye injuries are severe and need medical attention. If you injure your eye, you'll want to watch out for signs such as:

• Ongoing and new pain in your eye

• Changes in vision and trouble seeing

• Changes in the shape or size of your pupil

• Protruding eyes or trouble blinking

What to do in an eye emergency

Taking action when an eye injury occurs is essential to minimizing potential damage. Here are some first-aid tips.

What should I do if I scratch my eye?

Scratching your eye is not uncommon. Something as simple as playing with a pet or child can lead to a scratched cornea. If you scratch your eye, you may experience:

• Pain in the eye

• Excessive tearing

• Blurry vision

• Light sensitivity

• Eye redness

While sometimes they can heal on their own, it’s a good idea to contact your eye doctor. They may prescribe an antibiotic eye drop or ointment to prevent infection. Do NOT apply any eye drops without first consulting your eye doctor.

What should I do if I’ve recently been hit in the eye?

If you’ve been hit in the eye (with something like a baseball or other object), apply an ice pack (gently) to help alleviate pain and swelling around the eye. Getting hit in the eye can lead to orbital fracture and even retinal detachments, so it’s a good idea to contact your eye doctor to get your eye looked at.

If you experience trouble with your vision, such as seeing double or blurry vision, severe pain after being hit (especially if it is a light hit), blood inside the eye, or a black eye, seek immediate emergency care. They may refer you on to an eye doctor.

What should I do if I cut my eye or eyelid?

If you cut your eye and/or eyelid, your first step should be to protect the area. Gently apply a shield over the area to protect it until you can seek medical attention. The shield should not press on the injury but should cover the eye. A paper cup or other similar item can be used as a protective shield.

Once your eye is protected, seek immediate, emergency medical attention. They’ll assess the area and determine a treatment plan. Once their initial treatment is complete, they may refer you to an eye doctor for further assessment of your eye.

When you cut your eye, do not rinse it with water, rub the eye, or remove any objects that may be stuck in the eye.

What should I do if I have something stuck in my eye?

If you have something stuck in your eye (such as a fishing hook or other object), do not remove it. First, protect the eye by placing a shield over it. The shield should cover the eye and the object stuck in it but not be tight against your skin. Once the area is protected, seek emergency medical care at an emergency room.

What should I do if I get chemicals in my eye?

If you get chemicals in your eye, your first step is to flush the area with clean water. If you wear contact lenses, remove the lens before you start flushing your eye. Once you’ve flushed your eye thoroughly (for about 15 minutes), seek emergency medical care.

Remember: It’s always better to err on the side of caution. If you have any concerns or questions, contact a medical or eye care provider right away. They can help get you where you need to go.

Talk to Your Eye Doctor

Your VSP^® network eye doctor can help you keep your eyes protected from injury. At your annual eye exam, talk with your doctor about your lifestyle and hobbies. They can help ensure you have the eye protection you need and offer tips on keeping your eyes healthy and protected every day.

 This article previously appeared on VSP, Delta Dental of Tennessee’s DeltaVision® partner.