Types of Eye Emergencies

An eye emergency is an emergency created by having chemicals or a foreign object in your eye. It also happens when you suffer an injury or a burn in the eye area. Without immediate treatment, you could suffer partial or permanent vision loss.
 

Eye emergency symptoms include pain, swelling, decreased vision, light sensitivity, and redness. You may also have discharge, bleeding, bruising, itching, bulging eyes, and severe headache. An emergency may also cause double vision, decreased vision, or vision loss.
 

If you suffer a blow to your eye and have sudden vision loss, bleeding, swelling, or pain, rush to the emergency room. The emergencies that cause the symptoms mentioned include the following:

 

Retinal Detachment

Retinal detachment occurs when the retina’s neurosensory layer separates from the underlying retinal pigment epithelium. The retina detaches when a posterior vitreous detachment makes the retina retract and potentially tear. A retinal detachment is initially a localized injury, but if not treated, it progresses and causes irreversible vision loss.
 

Retinal detachment risk factors include age, cataract surgery, ocular trauma, and a family history of detachments. Persons with severe myopia are likely to have a retinal tear. Lattice degeneration also increases the susceptibility to retinal detachment. Lattice degeneration is the gradual thinning of the peripheral retina.

 

Mechanical Globe Injury

Mechanical globe injuries are lacerations or full-thickness ruptures piercing through the cornea and sclera. Globe ruptures result from a direct hit to the eye, such as from a motor vehicle crash, assault, or a thrown ball. Globe lacerations happen when a sharp object penetrates the eye. The eye loses pressure suddenly, and the internal contents can spill over to the outside. A rupture of this nature needs surgical fixing. If the rupture is small, the eye and vision may be spared. A massive rupture most often leads to vision loss.

 

Chemical Injury

Most chemical injuries occur at home, in the workplace, or an assault. They result from the eye’s exposure to alkali or acid in powder, liquid, or gas form. The extent of the damage depends on the chemical concentration and contact duration. Chemical burns wipe out the corneal and the conjunctival epithelium. They may also result in ischemic damage that would affect the eye’s anterior segment.

 

Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma

If the eye angle or the drainage apparatus close suddenly, the eye’s pressure can increase significantly. Environments with low lighting trigger this reaction. The optometrist corrects this condition by administering eye drops to lower the internal pressure. Laser treatment may also help to open the angle. Intervention done must be immediate to save your vision.

 

Orbital Cellulitis

Sometimes, eyelid infections spread even to the back of the eye, causing pain when the eye moves. Orbital cellulitis results from a sinus infection that extends to the surrounding tissue. The muscles behind your eye orbit are in the form of a muscle cone. The muscle cone being a confined space, the infection spreads and fills this space, forcing your eyes outward. Patients with orbital cellulitis often have bulging eyes. An orbital surgeon must open up space behind the eyes so that the orbit can relax.


 

Conditions that count as eye emergencies cause pain and are a threat to your vision. If you notice any of their signs and symptoms, consult an optometrist immediately. Visit Ridgeview Eye Care in Olathe or De Soto, Kansas. You may also call (913) 270-8598 and (913) 270-6017 to book your appointment.