Eye injuries are a very common part of everyday life and can happen in the blink of an eye. Without notice you can acquire an eye injury from a variety of different types of accidents and have an eye care emergency on your hands. These eye care emergencies can range from minor to catastrophic but you want to ensure you are prepared in all cases to avoid permanent loss of vision.

Common types of eye injuries can include:

• Splashing acid or alkalis chemicals in your eyes
• Rubbing your eyes and transferring acid or alkalis chemicals into your eyes
• Particles from an explosion when you are working with chemicals and other toxic materials
• Getting poked in the eye or having it scratched causing a cornea abrasion
• Having a blunt object hit your eye such as a fist or club
• Having foreign objects enter your eye such as a small piece of wood, plastic, or metal
• A sunburn to the cornea of your eye also known as ultraviolet keratitis

If you are experiencing discomfort in your eyes or there is visible damage to your eyes it is important to treat this as an eye care emergency. In all eye care emergency situations where you have an eye injury go straight to your ophthalmologist office immediately. If it is after hours call your ophthalmologists emergency number for advice and book an appointment to see him or her as soon as possible. There are certain extreme eye care emergency situations where you should visit the emergency room at the closest hospital to ensure you are treated immediately for your eye injury.

Always be aware of the symptoms and the eye injury situation you are dealing with. Do not wait to seek attention for your eye injury.

Four signs that you have an eye care emergency are:

1. Continuing or increasing pain
2. Decreased vision
3. Swelling of the eye
4. Eye bleeding

Treat all of your eye injuries in a serious manner and always seek the appropriate eye care immediately. It is important to protect your vision and be prepared to avoid permanent loss of vision. Don’t take your eye sight for granted … you only have 2 eyes!

If you or someone you know requires eye care visit Charles Breen, MD at 7370 Turfway Rd. 3rd Floor, St. Elizabeth Medical Office Building, Florence, KY 41042.

Disclaimer:

This article is provided as an information resource and is not intended to replace advice from a qualified ophthalmologist. In all cases, contact your ophthalmologist for advice on any matter referenced in this document before making any decisions.