Besides a traumatic injury, it can be challenging to determine when you need emergency eye care. It is for this reason that ophthalmologist Russel Levine, MD encourages patients to seek medical attention whenever they get concerned about the health of their eyes. Dr. Levine offers eye urgent care and can help you find a solution right away.
When To Seek Emergency Eye Care
Several eye conditions require medical attention sooner rather than later. They include sudden vision loss, significant eye pain, and worsening eye infection. Moreover, anytime a foreign object is embedded in your eye, you should see a specialist as soon as possible. Also, seek immediate medical attention if you sustain a blow in an accident that causes blunt-trauma. Please don't hesitate to call Russel Micah Levine, MD whenever you have concerning eye symptoms. These may include:
· Mild to severe eye pain
· Light sensitivity
· Blurred vision
· Significant redness on the lids of your eye
· Inflamed, dry, irritated, and red eyes
· Sudden onset of intense eye pain
· Partial or total vision loss
· A sensation of foreign objects in your eyes
Other signs can indicate a pending retinal detachment, therefore requiring urgent medical care. They include:
· Dark areas in your peripheral vision
· A sudden increase of floaters in your visual field
· A shadow effect can cause loss your visual field
Corneal Abrasions
This is a scratch on the cornea, which can cause light sensitivity, redness, and general discomfort. It can occur when an object such as a fingernail, debris particle, or makeup brush contacts your eye.
Retinal Detachment
This is a critical eye condition which requires emergency medical attention. It occurs when the retina draws away from the eyes walls and can cause permanent vision loss without prompt care.
Pink Eye
It is also known as conjunctivitis and is an inflammation of conjunctiva covering the sclera. Symptoms may include blurred vision, discharge, or redness. Among the causes of pink eye, a bacterial form is hazardous and can cause vision loss if untreated. Viral is another extremely infectious cause of pink eye, and should be addressed immediately.
Subconjunctival Hemorrhages
These are red patches that form on the white of your eyes when a blood vessel between the conjunctiva and sclera breaks. It can also be caused by severe eye infection or trauma. Although it can clear on its own, it should be treated immediately.
What You Should Know
Temptation can be there to wait and see if the eye condition can clear on its own. Please put this out of your mind as more severe complications can result from untreated issues. For example, uveitis is a result of an infection in the middle-inside portion of your eye. If untreated, it can lead to further complications such as glaucoma, cataracts, or retinal detachment.
What You Can Do To Protect Your Eyes
Accidents happen unexpectedly and can occur anytime. However, don’t take your eyes for granted. There are several things you can do to keep your eyes safe.
Eating well can improve your eye health and avoid several conditions. For example, nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins C and E, zinc, and lutein can reduce chances of vision problems such as cataracts and macular degeneration.
Wearing the right sunglasses can help you protect yourself from harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun and the potential complications. Using safety eyewear at a job or home when doing activities that pose a threat to your eye health can also decrease the chances of accidents.
To prevent eye complications as a result of staring at a phone or computer screen, you can limit screen time or use special glasses.
In conclusion, the best way to be sure of your eye health is to visit a specialist in case of any suspicions. Please don't wait to schedule an eye urgent care appointment with Dr. Levine. Call the office today for vastly improved vision!
