Emergency Eye Care in Las Vegas, NV

While many people instinctively head to the emergency room if they have a sudden, urgent problem that is affecting their eyes and vision, many conditions can be treated by an optometrist. Emergency eye care refers to the immediate treatment of eye injuries or conditions that require prompt medical attention. Some common examples of eye emergencies include chemical burns, foreign objects in the eye, sudden vision loss, and severe eye pain. If you or your family are in need of emergency eye care in Las Vegas, NV, then be sure to contact Dr. Ellen Merkin immediately.

Is It an Eye Emergency?

If you are experiencing sudden changes to your vision or severe eye pain, then you most likely need emergency eye care.

Symptoms of an ocular emergency can include the following:

• Foreign objects in the eye, such as small fragments of metal or glass
• Cuts, scratches, or punctures in the eye
• Eye infections
• Exposure to chemicals causing eye pain or vision impairment
• Sudden loss of vision or changes in vision
• Sudden onset of floaters or flashes of light

Call our Las Vegas office at 702-213-6905 to discuss your eye emergency and, if appropriate, set up an emergency eye exam with our highly trained emergency optometrist.

Steps to Take During an Eye Emergency

To avoid making your urgent eye issue worse, take the following steps when dealing with an eye emergency:

• If your eyes have been exposed to chemicals, flush them with water for 15 minutes, and don’t cover the affected eye.
• Avoid rubbing your eyes if you have something in them. This will prevent further damage to your eyes and reduce the spread of germs, bacteria, or infections.
• If you have experienced an injury to the area around your eye, gently apply a cold compress to prevent swelling.
• Avoid driving if you are experiencing an eye emergency or problems with your vision.

Once you have seen an eye doctor for your issue, follow their guidance closely and remain consistent with any home remedies or care plans provided, such as eye drops or compresses.

If you suspect that you or someone else has an eye emergency, it is important to seek medical attention right away. In the case of a chemical burn, flush the affected eye with water for at least 20 minutes before seeking medical attention. If there is a foreign object in the eye, do not try to remove it yourself. Instead, cover the eye with a clean, soft cloth and seek medical attention.

If you experience sudden vision loss, it is important to see an eye doctor as soon as possible as it could be a sign of a serious condition such as a retinal detachment or stroke. Severe eye pain is also a symptom that should not be ignored, as it could be a sign of an infection or injury.

If you are unable to see an eye doctor immediately, it is important to protect the affected eye until you can seek medical help. This may include wearing an eye patch, using over-the-counter pain medication, and avoiding any activities that could further irritate or damage the eye.

In some cases, emergency eye care may involve surgery to repair or remove a damaged eye. In other cases, it may involve the use of medications or other treatments to alleviate pain and inflammation or to prevent infection.

It is important to have regular eye exams to detect and prevent eye problems. It is also important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of an eye emergency and to know what to do in case of an emergency.

Treatment for eye emergencies can vary depending on the situation, but most issues resolve swiftly with proper care from a qualified eye care professional.

Call our Las Vegas office at 702-213-6905 to discuss your eye emergency and, if appropriate, set up an emergency eye exam with our highly trained optometrist.