Eye Emergencies That Can't Wait

Some eye issues aren’t pressing. You should see an eye doctor when you’re able if you start to notice changes in your night vision, for example, but you don’t need to rush to an office urgently. Making an appointment when you’re able is perfectly fine for a lot of eye conditions.

There are a few instances, though, in which you should see a doctor immediately. With expertise in addressing eye emergencies, our team at Edwin Y. Endo, OD & Associates is ready to help. 

If you experience any of the eye emergencies below, visit our office in Aiea, Hawaii, right away so Dr. Endo can help you protect your vision. 

Eye trauma

If something hits or gets in your eye, see Dr. Endo as soon as possible. If a ball slams into your eye, for example, it’s important for Dr. Endo to evaluate how that blunt trauma impacted your eye.

Seek prompt care if something gets in your eye, too, especially if that was a chemical or something that stayed lodged in your eye. If you have a splinter, piece of glass, or anything else in your eye, you probably need careful surgery to remove it. This helps to prevent any further damage to your eye. 

Eye conditions that need immediate care

Some eye conditions progress rapidly — and can cause blindness if you don’t act fast in response. Let’s look at a few examples. 

With acute angle-closure glaucoma, pressure rapidly builds up in your eye. This can cause eye pain, blurred vision, nausea, and vomiting. Come see Dr. Endo immediately if you have these symptoms. Alleviating the pressure in your eye as quickly as possible helps to prevent permanent vision loss. 

With retinal detachment, the layer of light-sensing tissue at the back of your eye pulls out of position. If it’s not corrected quickly, it can cause blindness. Unlike acute angle-closure glaucoma, retinal detachment is usually painless. You will notice changes in your vision, like floaters, flashes, and blurred vision.

Similarly, central retinal artery occlusion is usually painless. This condition develops when something blocks the blood supply to your eye. The main symptom to watch for here is sudden blurry vision or blindness in one eye. 

As these different conditions demonstrate, you should be on the lookout for sudden changes in your vision. These can indicate that your eye needs fast medical care. Dr. Endo and our team also recommend looking for:

• Blood in the eye
• Bulging eyes
• Headache, especially if it’s severe
• Pupil changes

If you think you may need emergency eye care, contact us. Don’t wait — risking permanent vision loss in the meantime. For emergency care, call our office at 808-774-3838.