Ocular Injuries Specialist

What should I do if I injure my eye?

If you suffer an eye or ocular injury, have an ophthalmologist at Retina Specialists examine your eye right away. 

Even a light blow to your eye can cause serious issues and certain internal complications like a detached retina that only a doctor’s examination can locate. Never try and treat an eye injury yourself.

For minor injuries like getting dirt in your eye or small scratches, your ophthalmologist can guide you in the correct steps to take, like how to properly flush your eye out or use a cold compress. In case of a serious injury, go to Retina Specialists or an emergency care center right away. 

Schedule a follow-up appointment at Retina Specialists following an eye injury since they raise your chances of infection and can cause permanent damage if you don’t monitor their healing.

How do I know if my eye is seriously injured?

Eye injuries can cause vision loss and blindness, so it’s important to recognize the symptoms of a serious injury. Possible signs and symptoms of eye injury include:

• Ongoing pain
• Trouble seeing
• Cut or torn eyelid
• Difficulty moving the eye
• Eye sticks out of the socket
• Unusual pupil size or shape
• Blood in the clear part of the eye
• Floaters or flashes disrupting vision

Even something as simple as getting debris in your eye can be serious if the tears and blinking don’t stop.

What are the common types of ocular injury?

Common types of ocular injury include:

Black eye

Blunt force trauma to your eye can cause swelling, discoloration, and vision problems. Black eyes aren’t always emergencies, but it’s a good idea to get your eye checked in case of internal damage.

Foreign bodies and chemicals

Small sharp objects in your eye or exposure to harsh chemicals can cause pain and a permanent loss of vision. 

Corneal abrasion

Scratches to the surface of your eye can cause blurry vision, light sensitivity, pain, and unstoppable tears.

Retinal detachment

A blow to your eye or the surrounding area can cause your retina to detach. This is a serious condition as your retina is a crucial component to seeing.

Not all eye injuries are emergencies, but to be sure, talk to a team member at Retina Specialists and ensure your long-term vision. To make an appointment, call or use the online booking tool.