Some Important Tips for Preventing Eye Emergencies

Some Important Tips for Preventing Eye Emergencies

Aug 01, 2022

Even with good eye care, there is always a risk of having an eye accident or emergency. For instance, you can splash some abrasive washing chemicals in a second, arising the need for eye emergency care. You might have an eye emergency if you have injuries or foreign chemicals or objects in the eye.

Some Common Eye Emergencies

Contact an emergency optometrist near you or visit our emergency eye clinic in Scarborough, ON, if you have the following symptoms:

  • Burning or stinging feeling in the eye
  • Pupils of different sizes
  • Eyes not moving together
  • Decreased or loss of vision
  • A bulging or sticking out eye
  • Increased light sensitivity
  • Eye redness and irritability
  • Eye pain and itching
  • Bruising or swelling around the eye
  • New or severe headaches
  • Discharge from the eye

How to Prevent Eye Emergencies

While not always, most eye emergencies are typically preventable. Below are several tips to protect your eyes from injuries or situations that can cause the need for emergency eye care:

1. Eat Eye-Friendly Foods

Diet plays a key role in the health of your eyes. Eating a healthy and balanced diet full of vegetables and fruits can provide good nutrients for your eyes and keep them disease-free. Healthy food options for your eyes include:

  • Leafy greens like kales, spinach, and broccoli
  • Fish such as tuna, halibut, and salmon
  • Fruits like strawberries, mangoes, and oranges

2. Always Use Eye Protection Whenever Necessary

Some environments and activities can make you vulnerable to eye problems. For instance, wear eye protection when using chemicals or working with potential flying objects. Your doctor can help you identify the right protection for your eyes, depending on your needs.

Similarly, you can use sunscreen or sunglasses to protect your eyes and surrounding skin from ultraviolet radiation. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation can increase the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts, which can lead to a decrease in vision. Similarly, it can increase the risk for certain skin cancer like melanoma around the eyes, causing significant damage to the eye structure. Ensure your sunglasses have 100% prevention from UVB and UVA rays.

3. Reduce Screen Time

Prolonged screen time is a key cause of eye-related problems, also known as computer vision syndrome (CVS). Staying on screen for too long or very close to the eyes can lead to symptoms like blurred vision, dry eyes, eye strain, painful eyes, and headaches. To prevent eye issues when working or watching, maintain a good sitting posture, and take a break every 15-20 minutes for 20 seconds by focusing on objects around 20 feet away.

4. Quit Tobacco Products and Reduce Alcohol Consumption

Tobacco products and excessive alcohol consumption are bad news to your eye and overall well-being. Compared to non-smokers, smokers have an increased risk of macular degeneration, which causes vision loss or blur in the center of the vision. Tobacco smoke causes cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and dry eyes (keratoconjunctivitis sicca).

Like smoking, excessive alcohol can lead to long-term eye problems like blindness, blurred vision, and dry eyes when the eyes don’t make enough tears or tears evaporate too quickly, causing dry, red, itchy, or swollen eyes. The symptoms are worse when you combine both smoking and alcohol abuse.

5. Have Regular Eye Exams

Frequent eye exams are your best option to detect and treat potential eye issues before they advance to serious stages. People with vision issues should see their doctor at least once yearly. Other people should have comprehensive eye exams every 1 – 2 years.

During the exam, the doctor will review your medical history and check the various parts of your eyes for early signs of disease and other conditions. An eye exam can also help detect signs of other health issues like diabetes, stroke, brain tumors, aneurysms, multiple sclerosis, and cardiovascular diseases.

6. Create Eye-safe Habits

Some habits can cause eye injuries and cause the need for emergency eye care. Always wash your hands before touching your eyes and maintain proper contact lens hygiene to care for your eyes. Similarly, don’t spray toward your face or carry sharp objects like scissors and knives pointing away from the eyes.

7. Seek Treatment for Rising Issues

If you notice a concerning symptom or changes in your vision, contact our optometrist in Scarborough immediately for treatment. Delaying treatment increases your risk of severe discomfort and long-term complications like blindness.

Visit an Emergency Eye Clinic Near You

Are you experiencing severe eye discomfort or symptoms? Contact Dr. Allyson Tang, Optometrist – Scarborough, for eye emergency care near you.

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