People can suffer from eye injuries of various types and severity, making it crucial to distinguish between situations requiring emergency and urgent eye care. While seeking the necessary medical attention is paramount, this article aims to highlight injuries necessitating emergency care. If you require emergency care from an eye doctor in Pembroke Pines, contact The Family Eye Site at 954-430-8330.
What to Expect
Emergency care is for patients whose injuries demand immediate medical attention, while those needing care within 24 to 48 hours require urgent care. Emergency care entails patients being seen in the office, an urgent care center, or a hospital emergency room as swiftly as possible.
Vision loss or the following injuries require emergency care:
- Large Foreign Body: A sizable foreign object embedded in the eye constitutes an emergency. Do not attempt to remove or press it. If possible, cover it to prevent movement and seek immediate care.
- Chemical Exposure: Household or workplace chemicals splashed or rubbed into the eye often necessitate emergency care, especially base or alkali materials such as oven cleaners and fertilizers. Rinse your eyes with cool, clean water for 15 minutes and seek medical care. If possible, identify the product or chemical name.
- Orbital Fracture: External trauma resulting in bone fractures around the eyes requires emergency care.
- Corneal Ulcers: Ulcers resulting from improper contact lens use also warrant immediate attention.
Urgent Eye Care
Other eye injuries listed below require medical care on an urgent basis. During office hours, contact your optometrist for instructions or seek immediate care if necessary:
- Corneal Abrasion: Dirt, grains, or other objects scratching the cornea, the clear surface covering the front of the eye. Avoid rubbing, but attempt to rinse the object from the eye with water.
- Bloody Iris: External trauma or internal pressure causing blood in the colored part of the eye.
- Blood in the White of the Eye: External trauma or internal pressure leading to blood in the whites of the eyes.
- Bruised, Swollen, or Black Eye: External trauma causing bruising around the eyes.
- Eyelid Laceration: A fall or object resulting in a minor cut is an urgent situation.
For these injuries, refrain from using ointments or over-the-counter eye drops. If you experience trauma or eye inflammation, apply a cold compress, but avoid pressing on the eye.
Contact The Family Eye Site for Eye Care
Are you looking for an eye doctor near you? If you sustain an eye injury, contact us at 954-430-8330. Our optometry team at The Family Eye Site in Pembroke Pines, FL, will evaluate and treat your condition to facilitate healing. Additionally, we are available to provide other eye care services by appointment.