Emergency Eye Care
Of course your eye doctor wants you to come in for a regular check-up, but what if you have an emergency? Poudre Valley Eyecare’s team of optometrists is trained to assess and treat a variety of emergent eye or trauma conditions.
Why get emergency eye care?
Whether or not you need to get emergent care for an eye problem depends on the problem. However, since you’re likely not an eye doctor, you want to err on the side of caution.
Why? Because some conditions can cause permanent eye problems, including vision loss. While your specific situation may not be related directly to your eyes, you may be experiencing symptoms of a systemic condition.
The earlier you catch or diagnose a condition, the better it can be treated.
Here are some common reasons to go to the eye doctor. Just remember, “better safe than sorry!”
- Sudden vision loss or decrease in vision
- Chemicals or other foreign substance/object in your eye
- Pain in or around your eye
- Other burning or stinging
- Blood or other discharge from the eye
- One eye bulging or different sized pupils
- Sudden onset headaches, light sensitivity, double vision
Are you or someone you know experiencing any of these?
What is classified as an “eye emergency”
Many eye emergencies are injuries sustained during recreation. Basketball is cited as a primary contributor, with “non-powder” guns like BB’s and paintball guns growing in injury rates, according to the American Optometric Association.
Other eye emergencies are exacerbations of medical conditions, such as a stroke or diabetes–which can cause retinopathy. Vision loss, blurry vision, floaters, and other symptoms can be indicators of these less outwardly detectable conditions and should receive medical attention immediately.
Shouldn’t I go to the ER for eye emergencies?
Not necessarily.
If there is nowhere else for you to go or you are experiencing eye symptoms as part of a more serious, different emergency–go to the nearest ER.
Go to your eye doctor for a starting point for injuries. We have specialized equipment and experience to more specifically address your emergency. A study performed by the University of Michigan Health Lab found that 25% of people who go to the ER for eye problems do not have emergent problems (think, pink eye).
Therefore, going to an eye doctor for your symptoms can help keep Fort Collins emergency rooms from being overcrowded. What’s more, this study found that individuals who have an established optometrist were less likely to go to the ER unnecessarily.
Less visits to the ER is only one benefit of regular eye doctor appointments, do you have an eye doctor?
Why Choose Us?
Our advanced technology and individualized care deliver results for patients of all ages. Our routine exams allow us to spot changes in your vision and allow us to treat those changes early. We have a comprehensive understanding of eye care, which means we can treat a wide range of conditions and chronic diseases. Our in-depth routine exams and customized treatment plans set us apart from the rest.
