Ouch!
Same day
"My vision is blurry" Same day emergency?
More info is needed. Has it been a gradual change, or sudden? Is there any pain associated? If sudden even painless vision loss it is an emergency. If its been slow or gradually changing vision, the next available apt is ok.
"My eye is bleeding" When is this an emergency?
Emergency When
1) If blood is coming out of the eye, onto a tissue, evaluation is needed. 2) If there is blood in the pupil or iris (the colored part of the eye)"My eyes are burning."
Same day visit, next available or tell me more?
Tell me more: -time of onset -grade of severity -is there mucus discharge present -dos it affect your vision?
See them the same day if the burning is severe, if discharge is present or vision is decrease.
"I have double vision" What follow Up questions are needed?
When did it start? -Does it go away when you close one of your eyes? -Has it gotten worse since is started? Is it painful? -Can you make it go away by focusing your eyes?
"My eyelid has been twitching for a couple of months. It's really annoying and I'm starting to freak out" Is this an urgent complaint?
An eyelid twitch is never an emergency issue. Generally caused by fatigue, lack of sleep, excess caffeine, dehydration, stress or another chronic eye irritation. Generally the treatment is more sleep, more water, less stress, less caffeine. Additionally tonic water may help reduce the twitching.
"Chemicals just splashed in my eye, what should I do?"
Instruct the patient to irrigate fully for at least 15 minutes before coming immediately to the office. Determine the estimate time of arrival so they can be seen as soon as they arrive. If the Dr. is unavailable they need to be referred for evaluation.
"I'm seeing flashing sparks in my vision. Not constantly, usually in a dark room. But I feel and see fine, I just thought I would mention it." When should this patient be seen for an exam?
This represents one of the few true ocular emergencies. Flashes of light and recent onset floaters can be a sign of a retinal tear or detachment. These should be evaluated same day by dilated retinal exam. If a detachment or tear is noted often same day retinal surgery is indicated.
"I just scratched my eye, do you think I should come in?"
Same day evaluation is best to avoid scarring and vision loss. Secondary infection is also a concern.
"My sister just posted a picture of her daughter and it looks like she has a 'white' pupil. Is that normal?"
A red pupil in a photo illustrates the 'red' retinal reflection of light and is normal with certain camera and lighting situations.
A 'white' pupil is not normal, and may be the result of a mature cataract, corneal scaring or past retinal detachment. The most concerning, however rare condition, is Retinoblastoma. A potentially life threatening eye tumor. Evaluation should be completed as soon as possible.
"I think I have something in my eye, I think I can see it should I pull it out?"
No, often patients can do more harm trying to remove a foreign object than the actual foreign object. Also a penetrating foreign body can lead to permanent vision loss.