Eye Emergencies
When to Seek Medical Care
At Clinic for Vision, we provide 24-hour services for eye emergencies.
During regular office hours, you may call and someone will give you guidance and instructions on how to handle your problem. This may or may not include coming into the office to be seen.
After hours, you may call 256-506-1683 to speak with the eye doctor on call. One of our eye doctors will return your call and give you guidance and instructions. This may or may not include coming to be seen in the office or emergency department of the hospital.
The Following Eye Emergencies May Require Immediate Attention By Calling Our Office or Going to The Hospital Emergency Room
Chemical exposures: If the substance was known to be caustic, immediate medical evaluation by either one of our eye doctors or in the emergency department is needed, regardless of symptoms. Acids and alkalis are the worst and require immediate attention. If the substance is not dangerous, such as soap or suntan lotion, a visit to the emergency department is not necessary, but a visit to the office may be helpful to alleviate any remaining symptoms. When in doubt, seek medical attention.
Sharp trauma: Any cuts near the eye needs to be evaluated to ensure that the eyeball is not involved. Our doctor may refer any cuts to the eyelids or face that require suturing.
Blunt trauma: Any trauma to the eye needs to be evaluated. Even blunt trauma can cause a rupture of the eye. Blunt trauma can also cause inflammation, bleeding, or retinal detachment.
Flashes and floaters: Flashes and floaters can be a normal process of aging. However, they are the same symptoms that one may get with a retinal detachment. These symptoms need to be evaluated.
Eye redness or pain: These symptoms may indicate a serious problem such as inflammation, infection, glaucoma. These need to be evaluated immediately.
Loss of vision: Some loss of vision may be benign and reversible (like from fluctuating blood sugars). However, some are more ominous and permanent. Any loss of vision needs to be evaluated emergently.
Foreign Body Removal
Do not rub the eye! It may imbed the material or cause a painful abrasion to the surface of your eye. Gentle rinsing of the eye may dislodge the material. If unsuccessful, seek medical attention.
Gentle rinsing of the eye may dislodge the material. If unsuccessful, seek medical attention.
Contact lens wear can cause small breaks in the skin surface that covers the eye. This opens the door for infection. Treat any contact lens related disconmfort as a potentially serious problem.
Flush the eye with water for at least 15 minutes.
Scratches
If there is a lot of pain we want to see you right away. Scratches on the eye open the door for infection and need treatment. The eye is very sensitive and even small scratches can cause great discomfort. Seek immediate treatment.
Yes, scratches on the eye open the door for infection and need treatment. The eye is very sensitive and even small scratches can cause great discomfort. Seek immediate treatment.
Trauma
Yes, interneral injuries can result. See your doctor as soon as possible. Apply a cold pack to reduce swelling
Yes, interneral injuries can result. See your doctor as soon as possible. Apply a cold pack to reduce swelling
Your eye doctor is better equipped to evaluate the internal structures of you eye.
Severe Emergencies
Sudden loss in vision may result from loss of blood flow to the eye. This may be a pre-stroke warning. Seek medical attention at once. We will evaluate your eyes as soon as we are sure your medical condition is stable.
Yes, see your eye doctor at once.
Yes, see your eye doctor at once.
Yes, see your eye doctor at once.
See your eye doctor at once.