EYE EMERGENCY (PINK/RED EYES)
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Pink Eye Emergency: What You Need to Know
Eye emergencies can happen without warning. From sudden injuries to unexpected vision changes, knowing how to respond quickly can protect your sight and prevent long-term damage. At Atkinson Eye Care in Algonquin, we’re here to guide you through urgent situations with the right care at the right time.
What to Do in an Eye Emergency:
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Stay calm. Panic makes it harder to think clearly and can increase stress for those around you.
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Don’t self-diagnose. Even if an injury looks minor, only an eye care professional can determine the severity.
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Call your eye doctor first. Many eye emergencies can be treated by an optometrist without the need for an ER visit.
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Know when to go to the ER. If you suspect the emergency is severe or life-threatening, head to the nearest hospital without delay.
At Atkinson Eye Care, we understand the urgency of these situations and are ready to help when you need it most. If you’re ever unsure, contact us immediately and we’ll help you determine the safest next step for your vision and peace of mind.
WHAT IS AN EYE EMERGENCY?Â
A eye emergency, like pink or red eye, is anything that puts your eyes or vision at risk of permanent damage. The most common types of eye emergencies include:
- Eye infection
- Foreign object stuck in the eye
- Eye trauma
- Scratch on the eye
- Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
- Lost contact lens in the eye
- Shattered eyeglass lenses
- Sudden appearance of light flashes or floaters
IS A PINK EYE INFECTION AN EMERGENCY?
While an eye infection like conjunctivitis (pink eye) usually doesn’t require emergency eye care, if you think you
have an eye infection, it’s important to see your eye doctor as soon as possible for a diagnosis and treatment.
SYMPTOMS THAT REQUIRE EMERGENCY EYE CARE
- Sudden loss of vision
- Sudden double vision
- Sudden eye pain
- New onset of light flashes and/or floaters
- Foreign body in the eye
- Chemicals in the eye
- Swelling or pain after eye surgery
WHAT TO DO IF SOMETHING GETS INTO YOUR EYE?
A foreign body can be anything from an eyelash or a speck of sand to a metal shard, blade of grass or piece of wood. No matter what the object is, it’s critical to have it removed quickly to reduce your risk of serious injury or infection.
Keep in mind that the eyes are extremely delicate and if you don’t know how to safely remove the foreign body, you can end up with sight-threatening complications. It’s therefore always best to seek urgent eye care if you can’t flush out the foreign body with water or saline solution.
If you think a foreign body has penetrated your eye, or you notice any blood or discharge coming from your eye, contact your eye doctor immediately. After describing what happened, your eye doctor may send you to an emergency room.
MEET OUR EYE CARE TEAM
With over 30 years of experience, our doctors and staff partner correct treatments with personable care.
Atkinson Eye Care provides innovative eye care services to patients from in and around Algonquin. We offer comprehensive eye health assessments, ocular disease diagnosis and treatment, contact lens evaluation and fitting, and prescriptions.
The team at Atkinson Eye Care aims to provide the best possible solution for the patient's eye health and vision needs. By utilizing the latest technologies and evidence-based treatments, we can ensure that each patient maintains optimal eye health. We welcome new patients and accept most major forms of insurance.