What is an Eye Emergency?

Seek emergency care if you believe your eyesight is in jeopardy, if you are in severe pain, or if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Sudden vision loss
• Pain in or around the eye redness accompanied by pain in the eye
• Halos (colored circles around lights)
• New floaters (spots, strings, cobwebs, or shadows before the eyes)
• Bulging of the eye or swelling of eye tissues
• Flashes or streaks of light
• Double vision
• Sudden crossed, turned or "wandering” eye
• Discharge, crusting or excessive tearing
• Eyelids stuck together, especially upon awakening
• Sudden blurring of vision that persists

The Nelivigi Eye Emergency Department has seen many types of serious eye injuries and conditions, such as:

• Eye infections
• Cuts (lacerations) to the eye from car accidents
• Adverse reactions to contact lenses (i.e., contacts that have become "stuck” to the eye)
• Sports-related eye injuries
• Eye pain and vision disturbances caused by chemical exposure
• Foreign particles in the eye such as small pieces of glass or metal

It is important that if you have a severe eye problem, do not try to drive yourself anywhere. If you need to go to the hospital, have a family member or friend come with you, or if necessary, call for an ambulance or take a cab. Even if you can see well enough to drive to the hospital, the emergency department physician may use drops that affect your vision and which will prevent you from driving home from the hospital.