4 Types of Eye Problems That Can Land You in an Emergency Room

01 Jul 2021

Have you ever suffered from an eye injury or problem before? If you have, then you probably understand how scary it can be. Just the thought of losing your sight permanently or being affected is enough to send you into a frenzy.

However, this is understandable since most eye injuries can cause vision changes, and in some cases, you may lose your eyesight. Hence the reason why you should seek immediate medical attention at our emergency room in Houston, TX, to avoid further complications that can cause permanent damage.

When Is It Appropriate for You to Visit an ER for Eye Treatment?

The eye is subject to the normal wear and tear that come with aging. So, you can expect your eye to be dry, sticky, or gritty as the years progress. Also, it is normal for older people to have difficulty seeing close things. You shouldn’t panic in such circumstances.

However, knowing when you need to come to our Houston emergency clinic is critical if you are to get the necessary care. So, here are some signs that you need to peel your eyes for to know whether you need to come to our ER near you:

Photosensitivity
Eye pain
Any loss of sight
Lacerations on the eyelid
Bruising around the eye
Having one unresponsive eye
Having blurred or double vision
Bleeding from the eye
The presence of foreign objects in the eye that won’t come out
Abnormal pupil shape or size
If the white part of the eye has bloodstains
If one eye is bulging more than the other

You need to rush to our emergency room in 77079 if you notice any of the above signs. Remember, time is of the essence during such scenarios.

Prevalent Eye Injuries That Are Treated In the Emergency Room

Some of the prevalent eye injuries that can land you in our emergency room near you are:

Foreign Objects in the Eye

Foreign objects that get stuck in the eye can cause bruising, major irritation, and even eye damage. Glass or metal particles, for instance, are known to cause severe damage and, in some cases, permanent eye damage when they lodge in the eye.

When you are in such a scenario, avoid touching your eye in an attempt to remove them because you might worsen the situation. Instead, make your way to our ER near you for treatment.

Chemical Injuries

In most cases, chemical injuries occur when the industrial, garden, and cleaning chemical products accidentally get into your eye, causing chemical burns. Chemical injuries are very dangerous and require immediate treatment.

For instance, if you use alkaline chemical products such as drain cleaners or lime, then it gets into your eye, it can cause permanent damage to your cornea if there isn’t prompt medical attention.

When this happens to you, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water to ensure that all the chemical residue has left your hands. Angle your head slightly, then flush the affected eye with water for 15 minutes. Then, make your way to our Houston emergency clinic.

Corneal Abrasion

Whenever a foreign particle or object scratches the surface of your eye, you get corneal abrasions. Corneal abrasions are very uncomfortable and can lead to redness, eye soreness, and photosensitivity.

It is vital for you to visit our emergency room in Houston, TX, if you have corneal abrasion because this injury can cause your eye to be susceptible to fungal and bacterial infections.

Orbital Blow-Out Breakages and Hyphemas

An orbital breakage is when you have breakages or fractures within the bones that surround the eye. On the other hand, a hyphema occurs when the anterior part of your eye is bleeding.

These types of injuries are usually a result of blunt force trauma to the facial bone structure or the eye.

If a hard object such as a bat, a baseball, or even a rock hits your eye, it can cause a significant amount of damage to the eyelid, eye, or even the surrounding bone structure. These injuries can be mild to severe.

Therefore, if faced with such an injury, you need to be examined by our doctors at our emergency room in 77079 to rule out any major damage.