Eye Emergencies

Eye Emergencies in Edmonton

We are always willing to help, should you ever experience an eye emergency. Our office provides emergency services for eye infections, eye injuries and other eye urgencies. State of the art equipment allows us to examine the front surface of the eye and also digitally scan inside the eye for infection or damage.

Studies have shown that an overwhelming number of emergency room visits could have been treated by an optometrist. These ranged from foreign bodies to severe eye allergies to eye infections as the most common reasons for emergency room visits. It is not always necessary to go to an emergency room for eye emergencies. Optometrists are equipped to treat the majority of eye emergencies.

We understand the importance of eye care when you encounter symptoms such as those listed above. These are signs that an immediate evaluation or consultation is necessary – please call us to set one up if you are experiencing an eye emergency of any kind.

We accommodate many eye emergencies such as:

  • Eye infections
  • Foreign materials stuck in the eyes
  • Eye trauma
  • Scratched eyes
  • Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
  • Lost or broken contact lenses or eyeglasses
  • Flashes of light in the vision
  • “Floaters” in the vision
  • Red or painful eyes
  • Dislodged contact lenses
  • Uncomfortable, itchy, or irritated eyes

Foreign Body Removal

A foreign body is something that gets in your eye, such as an eyelash, sawdust, sand, or dirt. The main symptom is irritation or pain. Depending on what the object is and how the injury happened, the foreign body may pierce the eye and cause serious injury.

The foreign object may set off an inflammatory cascade, resulting in dilation of the surrounding vessels and subsequent swelling of the eye area. If not removed, a foreign body can cause infections.

If anything is stuck in your eye, DO NOT RUB YOUR EYE. If the object is still there after a few hours, stop all attempts to remove it yourself. The eyes are extremely delicate organs and any attempts to try to remove a foreign object yourself can only have negative results. If the foreign body in your eye is bothering you, you are advised to visit an eye doctor to take care of it. If an eye doctor is not available in your area, you may need to call the emergency services in your region.

Your eye doctor will numb your eye region with anaesthetic eye drops first. If the foreign body is easy to get to, it may be possible to remove it by simply rinsing your eye with water, or by wiping it away with a cotton wool bud. However, if this is unsuccessful, your eye doctor may try to remove the foreign body by lifting it out with the tip of a small metal instrument.

The foreign body could be stuck underneath your upper eyelid, especially if you can feel something there, or you have scratches or grazes on your eye. If this is the case, it may be necessary for your eye doctor to gently turn your eyelid inside out in order to remove the foreign body.

Once the anaesthetic eye drops have worn off, your eye may feel a bit uncomfortable until your abrasion heals.

If you are in pain and suspect that a foreign body has penetrated your eye, go without delay to the nearest treatment center. Doing nothing can lead to damage to the retina, premature cataracts, and even loss of vision. Don’t delay treatment, call us today if you’re experiencing eye pain related to a foreign object in your eye.