Excellent & Efficient Emergency Care from Your Optometrist
Eye emergencies can be very frightening and painful. When left untreated, some eye injuries and eye infections can develop into more serious complications that may threaten your sight. That’s why it is critical to contact our optometrist in The Woodlands for an urgent eye exam as soon as possible. We provide medical treatment for a full range of emergency eye care services – without the hassle and long wait that you’ll face in a hospital. In addition, you’ll benefit from personalized attention and compassionate care when you visit our optometrist for emergency eye care in The Woodlands.
Types of Eye Emergencies
In general, the most common eye emergencies include:
- Irritation from a foreign substance or chemical
- Corneal scratches
- Eye infection
- Trauma or injury to the eye
- Extreme eye allergies
- Foreign objects stuck in the eye
Symptoms of an Eye Emergency
Many people are uncertain about what qualifies as an eye emergency versus what is just minor irritation that will pass on its own. Here is a list of the most common eye symptoms that require attention from a professional eye doctor. If you experience any of the following, please call us to schedule an urgent eye exam in The Woodlands, TX:
- Painful, irritated eyes
- Itchiness
- Stinging or burning
- Foreign body lodged in your eye
- Burns on your eye or eyelid
- Sudden vision loss
- Double vision
- Sudden changes in pupil size
- New “floaters” in your field of view
- New sensitivity to light
- Seeing flashes of light
- Dark shadows moving across your vision
If we detect any signs of a serious medical condition that may require an ophthalmologist or eye surgeon, we’ll refer you to a top specialist in the area. Do not wait – immediate treatment can prevent complications with your vision!
Treatment for Eye Emergencies in The Woodlands
Eye Infection – Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)
The symptoms of an eye infection differ between individuals, but the classic signs include pain, red eyes or eyelids, oozing discharge from the eye, a gray or white sore on the iris, sensation that something is stuck in your eye, blurred vision, and increased sensitivity to light. A high fever that cannot be explained by any other cause may also point to eye infection.
After a thorough eye exam in our The Woodlands, TX, optometry office, we will determine the most suitable treatment. Possible therapies include antibiotic eye drops or ointment.
Corneal Abrasion
Defined as a surface scratch to your eye, a corneal abrasion can be caused by many common objects. Sand blowing into your eyes, a fingernail, or even the edge of piece of paper can lead to a corneal scratch. Most of the time it will heal by itself, however sometimes the scratch can develop into an eye infection.
If you have a corneal abrasion, we recommend rinsing your eye with water or saline. Take care not to rub your eyes or insert contact lenses until it is healed. Contact our eye doctor in The Woodlands for help; we will evaluate your condition to decide if any treatment is needed.
Foreign Body Removal
Your eyes are extremely sensitive and delicate. Even the tiniest object, such as a stray eyelash or single grain of sand, can be irritating. When your eye senses the object, ocular blood vessels dilate and parts of your eye begin to swell. The longer the foreign body is stuck in your eye, the greater the risk of infection.
If you are unable to remove the object gently on your own, by blinking repeatedly, using a damp cloth, or flushing it out with water, please call our eye doctor in The Woodlands for assistance.
Beware: If you think the foreign object pierced the outer layer of your eye, do not try to remove it on your own! It is critical to seek medical care for this type of eye emergency. Waiting too long can lead to possible eye complications or vision loss.
We are experienced in foreign body removal, and our eye care clinic is equipped with many specialized devices for this purpose. Sometimes, we will insert numbing eye drops before extracting the object, so that you do not experience additional discomfort.
Fast & Expert Emergency Eye Care in The Woodlands
No matter what type of eye emergency you experience, our optometrist will use precise diagnostics to assess your condition and specialized tools to provide optimal treatment. You’ll be in good hands with our top-notch skill and modern technologies. Contact Eye Trends in The Woodlands, TX, immediately to schedule an urgent eye exam – your vision matters to us and we won’t make you wait to receive first-rate, immediate eye care.