Red Eye Treatment & Emergency Eye

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Red Eye

Red eye happens when the blood vessels in the eye become inflamed, causing the white of your eye to turn red. Your eyes will likely be red or pink in colour, and you may notice a watery or mucus-type discharge. A number of issues can cause red eyes. If your eyes are red for any reason, it’s time to book an appointment so your Optometrist can identify and treat the problem.

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What Causes Red Eye?

Red eye can be caused by a variety of environmental or lifestyle-related reasons, or because of specific eye problems. Red eye is most commonly caused by allergies, wearing contacts too often, eye fatigue, or common eye infections such as conjunctivitis/pink eye.

Common environmental causes for red eye include:

  • Dust
  • Chemical exposure (such as chlorine in a pool)
  • Smoke
  • Airborne allergens (such as pollen or animal dandruff)
  • Dry air (such as that found in offices, airplanes, or arid climates)
  • Airborne fumes (such as gasoline or airborne solvents)
  • Air pollution
  • Overexposure to sunlight without UV-blocking sunglasses

Red eyes can also be caused by common eye problems, both minor and serious.

  • Minor eye problems
  • Eye allergies
  • Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
  • Contact lens wear
  • Digital eye strain
  • Serious Eye Problems
  • Eye infections
  • Eye trauma or injury
  • Recent eye surgery (such as LASIK or cosmetic eye surgery)
  • Uveitis
  • Acute glaucoma
  • Corneal ulcer
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Symptoms of Red Eye?

There are a variety of symptoms associated with red eye, which can occur in one or both eyes. Common symptoms include:

  • Red or pink eyes
  • Noticeable veins/red lines
  • Irritation
  • Burning
  • Itching
  • Dryness
  • Discharge
  • Watery eyes
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Blurry vision
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Emergency Eye Care

Your vision is one of your most valuable assets, so it is important to keep it safe. Even a minor eye injury can have devastating consequences for your vision. If you are experiencing an eye emergency call Abbey Eye Care right away or proceed to the nearest hospital. Though we are not an emergency facility, we will do our best to allow for emergency appointments during our regular business hours. The following symptoms mean you should seek medical attention right away.

  • Vision loss
  • Corneal abrasion
  • Eye pain
  • Chemical contact
  • A sudden onset of floaters
  • Foreign object
  • Shower of flashes
  • Visual disturbances
  • Sudden, unrelenting blurring of your vision
  • Tunnel vision
  • Warped vision
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Common Eye Emergencies & First Aid

The most common eye emergencies include chemical contact and corneal abrasion, as well as getting objects stuck in our eyes. Here are some first aid steps to take should you experience any of the following common eye emergencies.

Corneas (the window to the eye – in front of the pupil) are extremely delicate and can be easily damaged. A scratch from a tree branch, fingernail or an impact from a ball or other item can damage your cornea. This can be very painful and also leave your eye vulnerable to infection.

If you think you might be experiencing a corneal abrasion do not rub your eye. Rubbing may make the situation worse by moving the debris around and causing more damage. To try and dislodge the debris you should gently rinse your eye with clean, cool water and then seek professional medical attention.

Your eyes are incredibly sensitive and can be easily irritated or damaged. Should you get any chemicals in your eye you need to flush your eye immediately. Locate the nearest source of cool, clean water and flush your eye for at least 15 minutes. It is important that you flush your eye for the entire 15 minutes so that you can be sure there are no residual chemical traces in or around your eye that can cause additional damage.

Once you have finished flushing your eye for the full 15 minutes, seek medical attention.

If there is an object lodged in your eye proceed to the nearest hospital immediately. Make sure you do not rub your eye since this could cause further damage.

If there is an object trapped between your eye and your eyelid do not try and pick it out. Instead, flush your eye with plenty of clean, cool water to try and dislodge the object. Do not rub your eye. Once you have flushed your eye, seek medical attention immediately.

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