Ocular Emergencies

Foreign Body Removal

A foreign body is an object (e.g., metal, glass, wood, plastic, sand) either superficially sitting upon or embedded in the cornea of the eye. The removal of a corneal foreign body is a procedure commonly performed in our office. If corneal foreign bodies are not removed in a timely manner, they can cause prolonged pain and lead to complications such as infection and ocular necrosis.

Floaters & Flashes

Floaters look like small specks, dots, circles, lines or cobwebs in your field of vision. While they seem to be in front of your eye, they are floating inside. Floaters are tiny clumps of gel or cells inside the vitreous that fills your eye. What you see are the shadows these clumps cast on your retina.

​​​​​​​Flashes can look like flashing lights or lightning streaks in your field of vision. Some people compare them to seeing “stars” after being hit on the head. You might see flashes on and off for weeks, or even months. Flashes happen when the vitreous rubs or pulls on your retina.

When an increase in flashes accompanied by a surge of floaters or dark spots cross your vision, this may indicate a retinal tear or detachment.

Red or Painful Eyes

Redness of the eye can indicate the presence of several different health issues. Many of these issues are benign, and others require more immediate medical attention.
The redness of your eye may be a cause for concern. However, most serious eye problems happen when you have redness along with pain or changes in your vision.

Scratched Eyes

A corneal abrasion is a scratch on your eye. It can happen in an instant. You poke your eye, or something gets trapped under your eyelid, like dirt or sand. Your eye hurts, and it doesn’t get better when you close it – if you can keep it shut. Light makes it sting and burn.

Conjunctivitis

​Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is an infection or inflammation of the conjunctiva – the thin, protective membrane that covers the surface of the eyeball and inner surface of the eyelids. Caused by bacteria, viruses, allergens and other irritants like smoke and dust, pink eye is highly contagious and is usually accompanied by redness in the white of the eye and increased tearing and/or discharge.

To determine if your symptoms are in fact conjunctivitis, you will need to be seen in our office to fully evaluate.