PROMPT EMERGENCY EYE CARE

Annual eye exams are important, but sometimes you need urgent medical attention. Some conditions become extremely serious if left untreated, leading to further complications and even vision loss. Our eye doctors have years of experience in treating eye emergencies. Whether you've got a foreign object stuck in your eye or accidentally got chemicals in your eyes, our emergency care services are here to help.

Eye emergencies can happen when you least expect them to. It’s important to seek quality emergency eye care to ensure your vision stays intact. An experienced eye doctor can examine the eyes and quickly determine a solution to prevent further eye damage. Check out the following section to gain a better understanding of the causes and symptoms of common eye emergencies.

Blunt Trauma

This causes bleeding under the skin, leading to the development of a bruise - which is commonly known as a “black eye.” The trauma causes blood to pool inside the front of the eye. This can lead to vision loss, eye pain, and tight feeling eyelids. If you’ve experienced blunt trauma to the eye, don’t touch or rub the eye. This could cause more damage. Seek medical attention from an eye doctor to prevent further issues.

Chemical Injury

Common chemicals like lime, drain cleaner, and sodium hydroxide can cause permanent damage to the cornea. It’s important to flush out the eyes with clean water or saline solution. After the eyes have been flushed, seek emergency eye care from a doctor. They will be able to treat the chemical burns and prevent any future complications.

Foreign Object

Dust, sand, and other debris can easily become embedded in the cornea. Persistent eye pain, sensitivity to light, and redness are all signs that emergency eye care is needed. An eye doctor can perform an eye exam and remove the foreign object from your eye to prevent further damage. When a foreign object has entered your eye, it’s important not to rub or touch it. This will prevent it from causing worse damage to your eye.

Other common signs of eye emergencies are rapid or noticeable vision changes, redness, differently sized pupils, and chronic headaches. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s time to seek emergency eye care. For years, our eye doctor has provided emergency care for residents throughout Oyster Bay, Syosset, NY and the surrounding areas. Reach out to our optometrist for emergency eye care services. 

You have several options when it comes to eye-related emergencies. The best option for your situation will depend on your individual circumstances, such as the condition in question and the time of day. If you know you need emergency eye care, assess the situation and make your decision accordingly. Your choices for emergency eye care include:

• Our Eye Doctor: It is always best to get targeted care from an experienced specialist. Our optometrist provides experienced eye care for a variety of conditions. We have the specialized knowledge to provide care for minor and major issues alike, providing peace of mind that you are receiving the best care available. Our eye doctor should be your first choice when you need emergency eye care.
• The Emergency Room: If you have suffered an acute injury that requires immediate care after hours, a hospital emergency room is another care option. Depending on the ER, there may or may not be an eye doctor at the hospital, or on call in the event that you need an emergency surgery.
• Urgent Care: Urgent care centers are standalone clinics that can provide care for conditions that do not threaten your life or your vision. If you are experiencing irritation, redness, swelling, or unusual discharge, you might receive relief at an urgent care center but should seek treatment from an eye doctor as soon as possible.

If you are experiencing sudden changes to your vision, severe pain or dramatic swelling, or other emergency situations involving your eyes, an emergency eye doctor is always the first course of action you should take. We can assess the situation and offer advice on further medical procedures. From blunt force trauma to cuts or tears on your eyelid, we can provide the treatment you need in a variety of scenarios. Contact us right away if you need emergency care in the Syosset or Oyster Bay, NY areas.

Eye emergencies can be frightening, but if you get the care you need you'll be setting yourself up for success. Keep yourself and your eyes as healthy as possible and reach out to East Norwich Optics as soon as you suspect an eye issue. We have seen it all before; our office will arrange to see you as quickly as possible, then work to diagnose and treat your issue. Some emergency eye problems can be resolved quickly, while others might point towards chronic problems, glaucoma, or other issues. It's best to know what you're dealing with from the outset. We serve patients from East Norwich, Oyster Bay, Syosset, and the surrounding areas of New York. If you have questions about symptoms or would like to schedule an appointment for emergency eye care, contact our office right away!