Eye Emergencies

Eye Emergencies: What You Need to Know

Eye emergencies can involve a variety of injuries and conditions, including trauma, cuts, scratches, foreign objects in the eye, burns, chemical exposure, photic retinopathy, and blunt force injuries. Because the eye is delicate and easily damaged, these conditions can lead to serious complications, including partial or total vision loss if not treated promptly. Additionally, certain eye infections, blood clots, glaucoma, and sudden eye problems such as painful redness or vision loss—unrelated to an injury—also require urgent medical attention.
 

Signs of an Eye Emergency

Depending on the type of injury, symptoms may include:
 

• Bleeding or discharge from the eye

• Bruising around the eye

• Decreased or double vision

• Partial or complete vision loss in one or both eyes

• Unequal pupil size

• Eye pain or severe headaches

• Itchy, red, or bloodshot eyes

• A sensation of something in the eye

• Light sensitivity

• Stinging or burning sensations

• One eye moving abnormally or bulging

• Nausea or headache with eye pain
   

Common Eye Injuries Black Eye & Blunt Trauma

A black eye is usually the result of direct trauma to the eye or face, leading to bruising from bleeding under the skin. The skin around the eye changes color, progressing from black and blue to purple, green, and yellow over several days. Swelling of the eyelid and surrounding tissues is also common, but the discoloration typically fades within two weeks. A direct hit to the eye can cause more than surface bruising—it can also lead to internal eye damage. A serious complication is hyphema, or bleeding in the front chamber of the eye, often caused by blunt trauma from sports injuries or accidents. Additionally, some skull fractures can cause bruising around the eyes, even without direct eye trauma.
 

Chemical Eye Injuries

Chemical injuries can occur due to workplace accidents, household cleaning products, garden chemicals, solvents, or fumes from aerosols. Acid burns may cause temporary damage, but vision recovery is often possible. However, alkaline substances—such as drain cleaners, lye, lime, and certain industrial chemicals—can cause severe and permanent corneal damage. If a chemical gets into your eye, immediately flush it with large amounts of clean water or saline solution and seek emergency medical care.
 

Photic Retinopathy (Solar Retinopathy)

Photic retinopathy, also known as solar retinopathy or foveomacular retinitis, is damage to the retina—especially the macula—caused by prolonged exposure to intense light. This can occur from staring directly at the sun, watching a solar eclipse without proper protection, or exposure to intense artificial light sources such as lasers or arc welders. If you experience blurred vision, central vision loss, or light sensitivity after exposure to bright light, seek an immediate evaluation from an eye doctor.
 

First Aid for Eye Injuries

If an eye injury occurs, follow these steps:
 

• Gently apply a clean, cold compress to reduce swelling and help stop bleeding, but avoid applying direct pressure.

• If blood is pooling inside the eye, cover both eyes with a clean cloth or sterile dressing and seek immediate medical attention.

• Do not rub or press on the eye. • Do not attempt to remove a foreign object stuck in the eye.

• Do not use tweezers or sharp tools on the eye (cotton swabs may be used on the eyelid only).

• Do not apply medications or ointments unless instructed by a medical professional.

For contact lens wearers, avoid removing your lenses unless:
1. You have a chemical injury, and the lenses did not flush out with water.

2. Immediate medical help is unavailable.
 

Preventing Eye Injuries

Eye injuries can happen anywhere—at work, home, or during recreational activities. Reduce your risk by:
 

• Wearing protective eyewear when using power tools or playing high-risk sports.

• Carefully following instructions when working with chemicals or cleaning supplies.

• Keeping sharp objects like scissors and knives away from young children.

• Maintaining a safe distance from fireworks. Prompt medical attention is crucial in any eye emergency to prevent long-term damage or vision loss.

If you experience an eye injury or sudden vision changes, seek immediate care from an eye doctor or emergency medical provider.