Eye injuries call for special attention and care. Let’s explore some signs and symptoms of eye injuries and when to seek help for an injured eye at urgent care.
Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care is your family’s home for top-tier, compassionate medical care. Whether you have an eye injury or another non-life-threatening injury or illness, simply walk in to see one of our exceptional providers.
Symptoms of an Eye Injury
What eye symptoms should you watch out for? Here are some possible eye injury signs and symptoms:
- Eye Pain. Ongoing eye pain can be serious. The pain may be accompanied by sensations of stinging, burning, throbbing, aching, or shooting pain.
- Swelling. You may notice swelling around your eye or involving your eyelids or the white part of your eyeball.
- Bleeding. Bleeding involving your eye is another warning sign. You may notice bleeding on your eye’s surface, between the clear layer (conjunctiva) and the white part of your eye (sclera). Bleeding can also happen deeper inside your eye, such as in your retina.
- Light Sensitivity. Unusual sensitivity to light can accompany certain eye injuries or urgent conditions.
- Vision Changes. Changes in your vision could include seeing halos surrounding lights, floating spots, or flashing lights. You may notice a shadow over part of your vision, double vision, or blurred vision.
- Eye Appearance Changes. Visible changes to an injured eye can be concerning. Look for changes in the size or shape of one pupil, difficulty moving one eye, crossing of your eyes, or one eye appearing sunken in or protruding.
- Foreign Body. If you know an object made its way into your eye, but your tears aren’t washing it out, don’t try to remove it yourself. A provider can assess your eye and remove the item safely.
When to Seek Help at Urgent Care
If you’re experiencing these or other concerning eye symptoms, it can be alarming and confusing. Is there something in your eye? Has something scratched your eye? Is it infected? One of our skilled providers can carefully assess your eyes and vision, determine the cause of your symptoms, and provide appropriate care for urgent eye injuries and concerns.
Causes of Eye Injuries
There are many possible causes of eye injuries. Here are some common ones to be aware of:
- House or Yard Work: While working in your garden or mowing your lawn, bits of wood or debris might get into your eye. House projects involving saws or other power tools could cause eye injury.
- Kitchen Injuries: Cleaning or cooking could expose you to splashes of cleaning chemicals or hot grease, resulting in eye injury.
- Workplace Injuries. People whose work involves cutting or grinding (like welders, carpenters, or construction workers) may be at risk of eye injury. Chemicals or radiation can also be workplace hazards that put your eyes at risk.
- Sports Injuries. Many sports or recreational activities can involve possible eye injury for kids and adults. Impacts from flying balls or pucks or collisions with other players can result in eye injury. If possible, wear protective eyewear or a face mask for higher-risk activities.
How Urgent Care Can Help with Eye Injuries
Urgent care is a great choice when you or a family member are experiencing a possible eye injury. From corneal abrasions to eye infections, your urgent care provider can help determine the cause of your symptoms and find the best treatment.
At Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care, we can promptly provide the eye injury care you need. Our experienced clinical staff and providers will ensure you receive top-tier urgent care when you need it.
Our shorter wait times and extended hours make us an excellent choice for you and your family. No appointment is needed—simply walk in to see a provider today.
