Emergency Eye Care
Eye injuries occur more often than most people realize, making it important to know how to handle them and determine whether they require emergency eye care. Of course, the first rule is to follow your instincts and seek emergency care if you think you need it. If you've injured your eye or want to schedule other eye care, contact Manufacturer Direct Eyewear, your optometrist in Deerfield Beach, FL.
Eye Emergency and Urgent Care
First, let's distinguish between emergency and urgent care. Emergency care involves patients needing immediate medical attention, while urgent care covers situations that can wait 24 to 48 hours if needed. Both require near-term expert assistance, but patients whose eye injuries require emergency care should visit a hospital emergency room, urgent care center, or a medical provider's office as quickly as possible.
Eye Injuries Needing Emergency Treatment
Any sudden vision loss requires emergency medical attention, mainly because sudden vision loss can indicate a life-threatening situation. Eye injuries that require emergency care and suggested first aid practices include:
- Large Foreign Body in Eye: All situations where a large object becomes embedded in an eye require emergency care. Do not try to remove the object; leave it in place and cover it while limiting its movement.
- Chemicals in Eyes: Households and workplaces have a range of chemicals that sometimes enter the eyes. Emergency care may be needed, especially when bleach, oven cleaners, fertilizers, and other chemicals are involved. Rinse the affected eye(s) with clean water for 15 minutes and, when possible, identify the chemical or take the container or an image of its label so care providers can begin treatment more quickly.
- Orbital Fracture: People who are punched in the eye or suffer trauma that breaks bones around the eyes require emergency care.
- Corneal Ulcers: Corneal ulcers can result from improper contact lens use and handling and require immediate medical attention.
Regardless of the injury, do not apply ointments or eye drops as treatments. Besides rinsing chemicals with water, less is more for most eye injuries. Apply a cold compress for the victim's comfort, but do not apply pressure to the affected eye.
Treating Eye Injuries at Manufacturer Direct Eyewear
Are you looking for an eye doctor near you? Our Manufacturer Direct Eyewear optometrist in Deerfield Beach can help with an eye emergency or for a scheduled eye exam. Call our team today at (954) 570-9293 or use our online form to schedule an appointment.