Emergency Eye Care
If you experience an eye injury, it is important to see your eye care provider as soon as possible. Contact our office and seek immediate assistance if you experience any of the following eye emergencies:
· Cut or scratch to the eye
· Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes
· Blunt trauma to the eye
· Double vision in both eyes
· Foreign body in the eye
· Flashes of light in vision
· Floaters or dark curtain in vision
· Dislodged contact lenses
· Red, painful, uncomfortable, itchy, or irritated eyes
We will schedule an appointment on short notice and/or provide instructions over the phone about how to handle your emergency eye care situation. For infections, like styes, conjunctivitis and blepharitis, Dr. Taylor may prescribe medications to help manage the problem.
Stye
A stye is a red, painful lump on your eyelid, which may make the whole eyelid swell. It is usually caused by a bacterial infection in the hair follicle of your eyelashes. When you first get a stye, your eyelid is generally red, tender to the touch, and crusty, and your eye may feel sore and scratchy.
Treatment:
1. Apply warm, moist compresses to the affected eye for 10-15 minutes, 3 times per day
2. Use ointment, prescribed by your optometrist
3. Do not wear contact lenses until the stye is gone
4. Discard any open eye make-up that may be contaminated
5. Wash hands, towels, etc. regularly to keep the infection from spreading to the other eye or to others
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is an infection or inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin protective membrane that covers the surface of the eyeball and the inner surface of the eyelids. Caused by bacteria, viruses, allergens, and other irritants like smoke and dust, pink eye is highly contagious and is usually accompanied by redness in the white area of the eye and increased tearing and/or discharge.
Treatment:
1. Apply warm compresses to the affected eye
2. Use drops or ointment, prescribed by your optometrist
3. Do not wear contact lenses until the conjunctivitis is gone
4. Discard any open eye make-up that may be contaminated
5. Wash hands, towels, etc. regularly to keep the infection from spreading to the other eye or to others
Blepharitis
Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelid and eyelashes. It is among the most common eye conditions, usually resulting from a low-grade bacterial infection, an allergic reaction, or abnormalities in oil-gland function. Like other skin conditions, blepharitis can be controlled , but not cured.
Treatment:
· Apply warm compresses to the eye for at least five minutes, several times/day
· Wash the eyelids with baby shampoo or mild facial cleanser
· Use antibiotic drops, if prescribed by your optometrist