Eye Emergencies: Signs, Causes, and When to Seek Immediate Care

Eye emergencies can happen suddenly and may result in serious vision loss if not treated quickly. From injuries and chemical burns to sudden vision changes like flashes and floaters, knowing when to seek emergency eye care is critical for protecting your sight.

What Is an Eye Emergency?

An eye emergency is any sudden injury, pain, or change in vision that requires urgent medical attention. Because the eyes are delicate and easily damaged, delaying care can lead to permanent vision loss or blindness.

Common types of emergencies include:

• Eye trauma: cuts, scratches, blunt injuries, foreign objects in the eye

• Chemical exposure: household cleaners, garden chemicals, industrial solvents

• Burns: thermal or light-related (arc welding, lasers, or sun exposure)

• Sudden vision changes: flashes, floaters, sudden vision loss

• Eye infections: severe conjunctivitis, keratitis, or orbital cellulitis

• Medical emergencies affecting the eye: acute angle-closure glaucoma, blood clots, or stroke-related vision changes

Symptoms That Require Emergency Eye Care

Seek help immediately if you notice:

• Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes

• Flashes of light or new floaters (possible retinal tear or detachment)

• Bleeding or unusual discharge from the eye

• Severe eye pain or pressure

• Sudden double vision

• Pupils of unequal size

• One eye bulging or not moving like the other

• Red, painful eye with nausea or vomiting (possible acute glaucoma)

• Severe headaches with vision changes

• Chemical splash or burn

• Sensation of something stuck in the eye that doesn’t wash out

• Extreme sensitivity to light

Flashes and Floaters: Why They Matter

Flashes and floaters are a common reason patients call for emergency appointments:

• Floaters: small spots, cobwebs, or squiggly lines drifting in your vision.

• Flashes: brief flashes of light, like seeing lightning or camera flashes.

While occasional floaters can be normal, a sudden increase in floaters or new flashes of light can be a warning sign of a retinal tear or detachment, a sight-threatening condition. If untreated, a retinal detachment can lead to permanent blindness. Immediate examination is necessary if you experience these symptoms, especially if accompanied by loss of peripheral vision.

Common Eye Emergencies Explained

Black Eye

Usually caused by trauma, resulting in bruising and swelling. While many heal in 1–2 weeks, a direct blow can cause internal eye damage or hyphema (bleeding inside the eye).

Chemical Injuries

Caused by exposure to cleaning products, garden chemicals, or industrial materials.

• Flush the eye with clean water or saline for 15 minutes or more.

• Continue flushing until medical help is available.

• Do not rub the eye.

• Seek emergency care immediately.
  Alkaline burns (e.g., from drain cleaner, lime, ammonia) are especially dangerous and may cause permanent corneal damage.

Photic Retinopathy (Solar Retinopathy)

Damage to the macula from staring at the sun, solar eclipses, lasers, or welding arcs. Can cause permanent central vision loss. Immediate evaluation is critical.

Acute Glaucoma

A sudden rise in eye pressure can cause severe pain, headache, nausea, and blurred vision. This is a true medical emergency and must be treated quickly to prevent blindness.

What NOT to Do in an Eye Emergency

• Do not rub or press on the eye.

• Do not try to remove objects stuck in the eye.

• Do not use tweezers or sharp tools.

• Do not apply ointments unless directed by a doctor.

First Aid for Eye Emergencies

• Apply a cold compress for trauma to reduce swelling (avoid direct pressure).

• For bleeding in the eye, cover both eyes loosely to prevent movement.

• For chemical exposure, flush immediately with water or saline.

• Call your eye doctor or seek emergency medical care immediately.

Preventing Eye Injuries

While not all emergencies can be avoided, prevention greatly reduces risk:

• Wear protective eyewear when using power tools, chemicals, or playing sports.

• Store chemicals and sharp objects safely out of children’s reach.

• Keep a safe distance from fireworks.

• Follow workplace safety guidelines for welding, lasers, and machinery.

• Wear 100% UV-blocking sunglasses outdoors to prevent sun damage.

• Take steps to reduce digital eye strain: follow the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds).

When to Call for Help

If you experience sudden vision changes, flashes, floaters, severe eye pain, or any injury to the eye, seek emergency care immediately. Acting quickly can make the difference between full recovery and permanent vision loss.

Emergency Eye Care at Our Office

At Eyes & Optics we provide same-day emergency eye appointments for conditions such as:

• Sudden vision loss

• Flashes and floaters

• Eye trauma and injuries

• Chemical burns

• Foreign objects in the eye

• Acute eye pain

If you are experiencing an eye emergency, call us immediately at 248-788-1610

If the situation is life-threatening, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.