Even though our eyes are one of the most sensitive and important organs in our body, many patients tend to neglect their ocular health and practice bad habits, such as skipping their yearly eye exam or sitting for long periods in front of a computer screen.
While it may not seem important, performing such habits on a daily basis can eventually take a toll on your vision. To protect your eyes, you should:
- Schedule yearly eye checkups with your optometrist
- Always wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays
- Practice proper contact lens care
- Never wear old makeup
- Visit your emergency eye doctor if you suspect something is wrong with your vision
- Wear protective eyewear when playing sports or performing other activities
Our Qualified Calgary Eye Doctors Provide Efficient Emergency Eye Care
At Blink Eyewear, our qualified eye doctors provide quick and efficient emergency eye care to help protect the health of your eyes and prevent any permanent damage or loss of vision. We also offer a wide range of other services, from contact lens fittings to children’s eye exams and cataract management, to ensure the long-term clarity of your whole family’s vision.
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5 Sure Fire Signs You Need to Visit a Calgary Emergency Eye Doctor
Poor vision, eye injuries, and even certain ocular conditions can negatively impact the quality of your life, which is why, if you are having trouble with your vision, it’s so important to take quick action. While taking certain steps, such as wearing protective eyewear and taking care of your contact lenses properly, can help lower your risk of ocular emergencies, sometimes accidents happen.
If you have recently had an injury to your eye, or are experiencing any of the following signs, you may need to visit an emergency eye doctor straight away:
- Increased light sensitivity. If your eyes are feeling extra sensitive to light, or you’re seeing halos around lights, then you must visit your optometrist straight away.
- Loss of vision. Are you finding it hard to focus? Has your vision suddenly become blurry, or has it gone completely? Visiting an emergency eye doctor is critical to prevent any further damage.
- Bleeding. If you’re bleeding from or around the eye, this demands an immediate rush to your optometrist or the emergency room.
- Changes in pupil size and eye shape. This includes pupils that are different sizes, or any swelling/bulging or eyes.
- Intense pain. If you are experiencing intense pain or stinging in your eye (most often as a result of a chemical burn), and the pain doesn’t stop, you must visit your eye doctor for emergency care.
Help! I Have an Eye Emergency. Here’s What You Need to Do
Even if you wear sunglasses or protective eyewear, you may not always be able to protect yourself from eye injuries. When trauma does occur, it’s important to know what to do and how to handle the situation.
You Have an Eye Cut or Puncture Wound
If your eyelid has been punctured or cut, it requires the immediate attention of an eye doctor. DON’T attempt to wash the eye or remove a foreign object. While you’re waiting for care:
- Avoid rubbing your eye or the surrounding skin
- Don’t put pressure on the eye
- Try to protect the eye from inadvertent rubbing by covering it with a rigid, circular object (eg. cutting out the bottom of a paper cup can work)
- Gently affix this covering to your eye using a piece of tape.
You Have a Foreign Object in the Eye
Whatever foreign object is in your eye, here are some things you should and shouldn’t do while waiting for emergency care:
- Never rub your eye to get the object out. You may end up scratching your cornea and causing more serious damage.
- Don’t remove an object that is sticking out of or embedded in your eye.
- Allow your tears to flow, as this may help remove the object.
- Try using warm water to flush the particle out.
- If you aren’t certain whether or not you got the object out, visit your eye doctor.
You Have a Chemical In Your Eye
Any chemical, such as household cleaners, that splash into your eye can cause serious damage. If this has happened, follow these tips:
- Use water to flush out your eye straight away.
- Never cover or put anything over the affected eye.
- Flush out the eye for at least 15 minutes, keeping your eye wide open and allowing the water to cleanse it.
- Visit your optometrist immediately.
You’ve Experienced a Blow to the Eye
If you have experienced a blow to your eye, here are some first aid tips to help you treat it:
- Keep your head elevated to minimize any swelling
- Gently hold a cold compress against your eye. BUT be careful not to place any pressure on it.
- If you experience pain or your vision is affected, visit your optometrist straight away.
Remember: It is always a good idea to see an eye doctor if you have experienced an eye injury. They can examine your eye and ensure that your vision doesn’t suffer from any long-term damage.
Call Today
To find out more about our emergency eye care services, as well as how our eye doctors can help you maintain clear and comfortable vision, visit one of our three branches, Crowfoot (67 Crowfoot Terrace NW, T3G 4J8), West Springs (1009 873 85 St SW, T3H 0J5) or Creekside (12192 Symons Valley Rd NW, T3P 0A3).
Alternatively, you can contact our team at our Crowfoot Branch (403-547-5417), West Springs (403-242-0999) or Creekside (403-516-2292).