Eye Injuries That Should Be Seen In The ER

Eye injuries can occur suddenly during sports, home projects, work activities, car accidents or everyday tasks. While some eye irritation may be mild, other injuries can threaten vision and require immediate medical evaluation. Because damage to the eye can worsen quickly, it is important to know when emergency care is needed.

At iCare ER and Urgent Care in Fort Worth and Frisco, Texas, our board certified emergency room physicians provide prompt evaluation and treatment for acute eye injuries. Our hybrid emergency room and urgent care model allows patients to be assessed quickly without an appointment so appropriate care can begin as soon as possible.

In more serious situations, emergency physicians focus on stabilizing the injury and coordinating transfer or referral if surgery or hospital admission is required. Early evaluation plays a critical role in protecting eyesight and preventing long term complications.

When Is an Eye Injury an Emergency

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, many eye injuries should be treated as medical emergencies, especially when vision changes, severe pain or trauma are involved.

You should seek emergency care for an eye injury if you experience:

• Sudden or worsening vision loss

• Severe eye pain

• Trauma to the eye or face

• Penetrating or sharp object injuries

• Chemical exposure to the eye

• Blood visible in the eye

• Objects stuck in or embedded in the eye

• Significant swelling or deformity of the eye or eyelid

Even injuries that appear minor at first can worsen without treatment. When vision is involved, it is safest to be evaluated as soon as possible.

Types of Eye Injuries That Often Require ER Care

Some eye injuries carry a higher risk of permanent vision damage and should be evaluated urgently by an emergency physician.

Foreign Objects in the Eye

Foreign bodies such as metal fragments, wood, glass or debris can enter the eye during construction work, yard work, sports or accidents. Attempting to remove an embedded object can cause further damage and increase infection risk.

Emergency evaluation allows providers to assess the depth of injury and determine safe treatment.

Learn more about emergency care for foreign bodies here: https://www.icare-er.com/foreign-bodies/

Eye Injury Associated With Head Trauma

Eye injuries frequently occur alongside head injuries after falls, sports collisions or motor vehicle accidents. Vision changes following trauma can indicate injury to the eye, surrounding bones or nervous system.

If an eye injury occurs with a possible concussion or head trauma, emergency evaluation is recommended.

Learn more about head injury evaluation here: https://www.icare-er.com/head-trauma-concussions/

Symptoms That Should Never Be Ignored

Seek emergency evaluation for eye injuries associated with:

• Blurred or double vision

• Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes

• Blood inside the eye

• Unequal pupil size

• Flashing lights or new floaters

• Severe headache with vision changes

• Difficulty opening or moving the eye

• Increasing pain or pressure

These symptoms may indicate internal eye injury or nerve involvement and should not be ignored.

ER vs Urgent Care for Eye Problems

Not all eye conditions require emergency room care. Understanding the difference can help patients choose the appropriate level of treatment.

Eye conditions commonly treated through urgent care may include mild irritation, minor infections and inflammation such as pink eye or styes.

Learn more about urgent care treatment for pink eye and styes here: https://www.icare-er.com/pink-eye-styes/

However, eye injuries involving trauma, vision changes, chemical exposure or severe pain are more appropriate for ER evaluation.

If symptoms are sudden, severe or worsening, emergency care is recommended.

How Eye Injuries Are Evaluated and Treated

At iCare ER and Urgent Care, patients with eye injuries are evaluated by experienced emergency physicians.

Care focuses on identifying serious injury, protecting vision and determining next steps.

Evaluation may include:

• Review of how the injury occurred

• Visual acuity testing

• Examination of the eye and surrounding structures

Diagnostic tools that may be used when available and appropriate include:

• Fluorescein staining to identify corneal injuries

• Specialized eye examination tools

• Imaging such as CT scans for facial or orbital trauma

Treatment initiation may include:

• Eye irrigation for chemical exposure

• Pain management

• Antibiotic or anti inflammatory medications when indicated

• Protective eye coverings

• Tetanus updates if needed

If advanced treatment or surgery is required, emergency physicians stabilize the patient and coordinate transfer or referral for higher level care.

What to Do Immediately After an Eye Injury

If an eye injury occurs:

• Do not rub the eye

• Do not attempt to remove objects stuck in the eye

• Avoid applying pressure

• Do not use medications unless directed

• For chemical exposure, gently flush the eye with clean water while seeking immediate medical care

Prompt evaluation can help prevent permanent vision damage.

Preventing Eye Injuries

Many eye injuries can be prevented by wearing protective eyewear during activities such as sports, yard work, home repairs and when working with tools or chemicals.

Protective eyewear significantly reduces the risk of serious eye trauma.

Emergency Eye Care in Fort Worth, Frisco, and Forney, Texas

Eye injuries can be frightening, and vision changes should never be ignored. If you or a loved one experiences an eye injury, seek medical evaluation as soon as possible.

At iCare ER and Urgent Care in Fort Worth, Frisco, and Forney, Texas, our board certified emergency physicians provide prompt evaluation, diagnostics, stabilization, and treatment initiation for acute eye injuries. If higher level care is needed, our team coordinates transfer or referral for specialty treatment.

When it comes to your eyesight, timely care matters.

External Medical References

American Academy of Ophthalmology
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/injuries

Mayo Clinic Eye Injury Guidance
https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-eye-injuries/basics/art-20056647