By 2020, an estimated 24 million Americans admitted they’d had at least one eye injury at some point in their life. Workplace eye injuries are extremely common and affect almost 20,000 workers per year. These eye injuries may be serious, but many are minor. Even minor eye injuries can lead to workers having to miss work for a day or longer. Here is when going to Premium Urgent Care may be bet for your eye injuries;
The 10 Most Common Minor Eye Injuries
What are some of the most common eye injuries? Here are 10 to consider and better understand how urgent care can help.
Black Eye
A black eye occurs when blood pools in the upper or lower eyelid. It may be the result of a blow to the eye or a broken nose. You should see a doctor to ensure there isn’t a bone fragment that could harm your vision if it isn’t diagnosed and treated properly.
Blowout Fracture
The bones of the eye socket can get broken if you’re hit in the face with a ball, during a car accident, or a fist. This is known as a blowout fracture. If any fragments of bone get into the muscle, it can cause an infection or vision issues. It’s important to see a doctor if you’ve taken a blow to the face.
Blunt Trauma
Not all blows to the face result in broken bones. It could just cause blood vessels to rupture and cause the black eye mentioned above. It could also cause an impact that damages the cornea. Always see a doctor.
Corneal Abrasion
The cornea is the transparent layer covering your iris and pupil. If you get poked in the eye by a fingernail, branch, or other object, it can scratch your cornea. Corneal abrasion also occurs when something gritty like sand or a small piece of bark gets in your eye. If the scratch occurs, it’s painful and will cause your eye to water excessively. You should see a doctor to see how deep the scratch is and protect against infection.
Dry eye
Dry eye can be the result of a medication you’re prescribed or a symptom of a condition you have, such as ocular rosacea or diabetes. Seeing a doctor to have the cause diagnosed is important. It’s also important to follow medical advice on how to ensure your eyes stay lubricated and don’t lead to corneal abrasion.
Eye Hemorrhages
Eye hemorrhages are often tied to a blow to the eye, but they don’t have to be. Subconjunctival hemorrhages occur when there’s a scratch on the sclera, which is the protective outer layer of your eyeball. You’ll see a lot of redness in your eye white. It will heal on its own, but you should see a doctor to see if antibiotic eye drops are needed because the scratch is deeper than you realize.
Eye Infection
Pink eye is the most common eye infection. It’s tied to getting bacteria in your eye. If you change a baby’s diaper and forget to wash your hands before rubbing your eye, you could easily end up with pink eye. It’s an infection you need to go to the doctor to get an antibiotic ointment.
Foreign Objects
If you get a foreign object in your eye, it needs to be removed before it causes damage. If it’s stuck in the cornea or sclera, go to the ER. If it’s caught on the surface of the eye and you can’t remove it, go to an urgent care practice for medical treatment.
Scratched Eyelid
Scratches on the eyelid are usually treated at home, but you should see a doctor if the scratch is close to your eye. You want to make sure the scratch didn’t hit the cornea or sclera. Deeper cuts should be seen ASAP as they need to be carefully stitched to avoid infection around your eyes.
Stye
A stye is an infected eyelid follicle that will swell and feel very painful. If it’s not overly painful, you can use warm compresses at home to treat it yourself. But, a painful stye should be seen. An urgent care doctor can drain the infection and prescribe an antibiotic ointment to help clear up the infection.
The Risks You Face With Self-Care
After a minor eye injury, you may decide it’s not worth seeing a doctor. Self-care isn’t the best idea as complications may arise.
It’s always better to go to the doctor and learn you don’t need to do much more than rest, cold or warm compresses, and lubricating eye drops. If you don’t go and there’s a problem, you risk losing your vision or having an infection worsen to the point it spreads.
The Benefits of Urgent Care for Eye Injuries
Urgent care is convenient. While your doctor can address your eye concern, the odds of getting an appointment after work or on weekends are unlikely. With urgent care, the office is open on weekends and usually has hours that extend later in the day than most doctors’ offices.
You could visit an ER, but it’s more expensive. Plus, the wait times are longer. While you might wait 30 minutes to see an urgent care doctor, it could be hours at an ER as patients with serious health issues are prioritized over minor complaints.
Doctors at an urgent care practice are all board-certified physicians. They have specialists available for eye care and other medical needs. You’re not getting a doctor with less skill than an ER has. You see a doctor, find out what’s wrong or get an object removed, and you’re sent home with a treatment plan. If the issue is more severe and needs hospital care, you’ll know and be redirected with a referral to the hospital
Another benefit to urgent care is that you can walk in and be seen. If you want to expedite your appointment, check-in online to get on the list before you arrive.
When Should You Go to the Hospital?
Urgent care is ideal for minor eye injuries. However, there are times when the ER is the right choice. If you’re experiencing any of the following, go right to the hospital.
- Clear fluid leaking from the eye
- Cut on the eyelid
- Hazardous chemicals splashed into the eye
- Heavy bleeding from the eye
- Object stuck in the eye
- Punctures of the eye
- Sudden loss of vision
- Tremendous eye pain
- Uneven pupils
Before you head to Premium Urgent Care, take advantage of the online check-in system that puts you on the list before you arrive. Plus, fill out the paperwork before you leave your home. You’ll have a frustration-free visit that addresses your eye injury and gets you back home quickly.