Yearly eye exams are the best way to ensure your vision is in good condition. However, sometimes you can’t wait until your next scheduled eye appointment. If your eye experiences any type of sudden trauma, you should see your eye doctor immediately. 

4 Types of Eye Emergencies

1. A Foreign Object in Your Eye

If an object, such as glass or metal, gets into your eye, it can damage the cornea or conjunctiva. You may experience tearing, pain, redness, and excessive blinking immediately afterward.

Don't attempt to remove the object yourself, as you could cause further damage to your eye. Instead, seek immediate treatment from an eye doctor promptly and try not to move your eye.

2. Black Eye

A black eye typically results from trauma to the head or face and is accompanied by bruising and swelling around the eye. Although many resolve themselves, they can sometimes cause damage to the inside of the eye. To play it safe, have an eye doctor take a look at your eye as soon as possible.

3. Chemical Burns

If cleaning products or other harsh chemicals get into your eye, you can suffer a chemical burn. You may experience pain, a burning sensation, excessive tearing and blurred vision.

Rinse your eye out with cool water for 15 minutes and head to see your optometrist. They will rinse your eye again, remove foreign particles, and prescribe antibiotic ointment and a topical steroid.

4. Bulging Eyes

Bulging eyes occur when one or both eyes protrude from the sockets and can result from many different conditions, including injury, bacterial infections and Graves’ disease. An eye care professional can determine the underlying cause and recommend the appropriate treatment, such as eye drops or antibiotics. 

If you have an eye emergency, turn to the professionals at Abel, Klecker & Robbins in Lexington, KY. These optometrists have been providing superior eye care services for more than 60 years and are dedicated to helping patients improve their vision. From eye exams to astigmatism treatment, these eye doctors offer a wide range of services and use the latest technology in the industry. If you would like to learn more information about their services, call (859) 269-6921 or visit their website.