Emergency Eye Problems
OUCH! Are you experiencing pain, discomfort, redness or irritation? Give Eye Department a call at 503-227-0573. We maintain times throughout the day to see emergency eye problems. Dr. Annie believes in maintaining a high level of access for patients experiencing emergency eye problems in Portland. These emergency problems include flashes, floaters, red eyes and sudden loss of vision. If you are feeling there is an eye emergency please call us and our staff will help further assess when we need to get you in.
What is an Eye Emergency?
Eye emergencies / injuries cannot be diagnosed over the telephone. We must see you to treat you. If you are concerned about your eye(s), please call 503-227-0573
Eye emergencies include cuts, scratches, objects in the eye, burns, chemical exposure, and blunt injuries to the eye or eyelid. Certain eye infections and other medical conditions, such as blood clots or glaucoma, may also need prompt medical care. Since the eye is easily damaged, any of these conditions can lead to vision loss if untreated. Many conditions that we see in our triage process can be treated during the initial visit. In addition, if needed, we will refer patients to our outside specialists. It is important to contact Eye Department as soon as possible. If you feel the emergency is immediate, call 911. Eye pains and problems like pink eye or a painful red eye, that are not due to injury, may still require urgent medical attention.
Eye injuries can occur in a variety of ways:
•Sports injuries – Basketball is the most common cause of injuries to patients aged 15-25. Eye trauma can occur in any number of ways during any type of sport. The impact of ball to eye, impact from knees, elbows, impact to head or eye/orbit area, debris from ground flying into the eye can all lead to a call/trip to Eye Department.
•Workplace injuries – Workplace eye injuries can occur in any work place. Maintaining appropriate safety measures is critical in any setting. Eye injuries occur from metal shavings, impact to the orbital area, welding, nail guns, chemical splash/exposure to eye.
•Home- chemical splash/exposure to eye, power tools (saws, nail guns), lawn maintenance (cutting grass or weed eaters throwing debris such as sticks or rocks).
•Fireworks – It is best to leave this activity up to the professionals. Even then, it is best to use safety practices when using fireworks personally use or as a bystander at a show.
•Motor vehicle crash.
•Assault – blow to the eye, corneal scratch, wound to eye.