Eye injuries are more common than is often thought, so it is important to understand how to provide first aid and which types of injuries require emergency eye care. However, the first rule of thumb is to follow your instinct and seek emergency medical care if you need it. If you have an eye injury or want to schedule other care, contact VistaSite Eye Care, your optometrist in The Bronx, NY.
Emergency and Urgent Eye Care
It is helpful to distinguish situations requiring emergency and urgent care. Emergency care is for patients needing immediate medical attention, while urgent care can wait 24 to 48 hours. Both require medical assistance, but patients with eye injuries who require emergency care must visit a hospital emergency room, urgent care center, or their medical provider's office as quickly as possible.
Eye Injuries Needing Emergency Treatment
Any sudden vision loss situation requires emergency medical attention since vision loss can be a sign of a life-threatening issue. Eye injuries requiring emergency care and suggested first aid practices include the following:
- Large Foreign Body in Eye: Large objects embedded in the eye require emergency care. Do not remove the object. Please leave it in place and cover the object to limit its movement.
- Chemicals in Eyes: Emergency care is often needed when chemicals enter the eyes, especially alkalis like bleach, oven cleaners, and fertilizers. If possible, rinse the eyes with clean water for 15 minutes. Try to identify the chemical or take the container or an image of the label so care providers can quickly begin treatment.
- Orbital Fracture: Being punched in the eye or other trauma that results in broken bones around the eyes requires emergency care.
- Corneal Ulcers: Improper contact lens use and handling can result in corneal ulcers requiring immediate attention.
Regardless of the injury, do not treat it with ointments or eye drops as treatment. Besides rinsing out chemicals with water, less is more for most eye injuries. A cold compress can help make the victim more comfortable. However, do not press it on the eye if one is available.
Treating Eye Injuries at VistaSite Eye Care
Are you looking for an eye doctor near you? With two VistaSite Eye Care locations in The Bronx, our eye doctors can help with injuries or scheduled family eye care. Call our team today at the Bay Plaza Mall at (718) 320-2222 or on Bartow Avenue at (718) 324-2020 for an appointment.
