Ocular Emergencies

If you have an ocular emergency, such as sudden vision loss, eye injury, severe pain, or a foreign object in your eye, it's important to seek immediate care. Our clinic is equipped to handle most urgent eye issues promptly and efficiently. We provide fast, effective treatment to minimize the risk of lasting damage and ensure your eye health is protected.

Prompt action can be crucial in preserving your vision and eye health.

  • In an ocular emergency, the first step is Immediate Assessment. When you come to us with an eye emergency, we act quickly to assess your condition. Our team will ask about your symptoms, how the injury or issue occurred, and any other relevant medical history. We then conduct a preliminary examination to determine the severity and nature of the issue. This swift and thorough assessment is crucial for deciding the next steps in your treatment and is aimed at understanding the urgency and best course of action to protect your vision.

  • Following the assessment, we move to the Urgent Treatment phase. Depending on the nature of your emergency, this could include removing a foreign object from your eye, prescribing medication to treat an infection, or addressing any trauma to the eye. Our clinic is equipped with the necessary tools and expertise to provide immediate care. We focus on alleviating pain, preventing further damage, and starting the healing process as quickly as possible. The goal is to manage the immediate crisis and stabilize your eye health.

  • After addressing the immediate emergency, Follow-Up Care is essential. We schedule subsequent visits to monitor your recovery and ensure that your eye is healing properly. During these follow-up appointments, we check for any signs of complications and assess how your vision has been affected. If necessary, we adjust your treatment plan or provide referrals for specialized care. This ongoing monitoring and care are crucial for ensuring a full recovery and maintaining the long-term health of your eyes.

Self-Diagnose

Self-diagnosing ocular emergencies is not advisable due to several critical reasons. Firstly, most individuals lack the medical expertise needed for accurate diagnosis, leading to potential misinterpretation of symptoms. Eye conditions are often complex and can present with similar signs, making professional evaluation essential. For example, redness in the eye could signify anything from minor irritation to a serious infection, each requiring different treatments. Additionally, eye emergencies are usually time-sensitive; delaying professional care while attempting self-diagnosis can result in permanent damage, including vision loss. Moreover, information found on the internet may be unreliable or not specific to your individual case and medical history.

Keep in mind that Dr. Google cannot match the training and expertise of our experienced optometrists.

Common Emergencies

The most common ocular emergencies often involve sudden changes in vision, physical injury to the eye, or severe discomfort. These include conditions like retinal detachment, which presents as a sudden shower of floaters or a curtain over the field of vision, and is a critical condition requiring immediate attention.

Trauma to the eye, such as from a blunt force or a penetrating injury, can cause serious damage and necessitates prompt medical care. Chemical burns from exposure to harmful substances and severe infections like keratitis, characterized by pain, redness, and impaired vision, are also common emergencies. Each of these situations demands immediate evaluation and treatment to preserve eye health and prevent permanent vision impairment.

Time Sensitivity

The most important thing patients need to know about ocular emergencies is that immediate medical attention from an eye care professional is crucial. Eye emergencies, such as sudden vision loss, severe pain, noticeable changes in the eye, or trauma, can lead to permanent damage if not treated promptly and properly. Trying to self-diagnose or delay treatment can worsen the condition and increase the risk of irreversible vision loss. Recognizing the urgency and seeking professional care as soon as possible is key to preserving eye health and preventing long-term complications.

Additionally, being aware of the common signs of ocular emergencies, like redness, swelling, flashes of light, or floating spots, and knowing when to seek help, can significantly improve the chances of a successful outcome and protect your vision.

Don’t diagnose yourself.

About The Eye Works

Our top priority is maintaining your eye health and vision quality. As the leading optometrist in Napa helping our patients/our family to see better, we use advanced technology for exceptional eye care.

We've grown thanks to positive feedback from our patients and their loved ones, and our reviews reflect our commitment to excellent service.

Our goal is to provide top-notch eye care, including advanced eye health tests, innovative lenses, contact lenses, fittings, and a selection of fashionable frames.

Insurances we accept

  • Spectera

  • Vision Service Plan

  • EyeMed

  • United Health Care

  • MES Vision

  • Medicare