While regular eye exams are always a good idea, sometimes you need to pick up the phone and schedule an urgent appointment with your eye doctor.
These 5 eyecare emergencies require immediate medical attention:
Traumatic eye injury
Until you see your eye doctor, apply a cold compress without putting pressure on the eye, to reduce swelling and pain. Serious injuries can cause redness, light sensitivity, double vision, swelling and pain.
Without prompt treatment, some eye injuries can lead to partial or even permanent vision loss.
Chemical burn
If chemicals get in your eye, flush out your eye with saline or water for 15 minutes. If you’re wearing contact lenses, try to remove them first. After you’ve flushed thoroughly, go to an eye doctor immediately.
Noticeable vision changes
Sudden or noticeable changes in the quality of your vision must be addressed quickly. The sudden appearance of many floaters or bright flashes of light may indicate a retinal detachment, while the onset of blurred vision and/or extreme sensitivity to light may be symptoms of a corneal problem. Left untreated, these and other conditions can cause permanent vision loss.
Changes in vision can also be a symptom of nerve damage, stroke or other neurological issues.
Differently sized pupils
If your pupils are not the same size, you may have anisocoria - a condition you were either born with or that develops later in life due to an underlying eye condition or eye trauma.
Anisocoria can be a symptom of head trauma or other neurological conditions, including a brain tumor or stroke.
If you see a noticeable difference in pupil size, whether intermittent or constant, contact your eye doctor.
Bulging eyes
There are many conditions that cause bulging eyes, some more serious than others. Abnormal blood vessels behind your eye or injury to the eye socket can cause it to bulge.
Bulging eyes can also indicate a thyroid condition called Graves’ disease or eye socket problems such as inflammation, bacterial infections or tumors.
If you notice your eyes are bulging, it’s important to contact your eye doctor promptly to receive the proper diagnosis and treatment.
If you have an eye emergency, contact Corktown Eyecare in Toronto to speak with our eye doctor, who is ready, equipped and able to provide you with emergency eye care.
At Corktown Eyecare, we put your family's needs first. Talk to us about how we can help you maintain healthy vision. Call us today: 647-694-7600 or book an appointment online to see one of our Toronto eye doctors.
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