Eye Symptoms Needing Immediate Attention

The eye is a complex structure and vision is an important part of our daily life. It is good to be aware of symptoms that may cause a potential threat to your vision.

When should I see my eye care provider or get help?

Go to an urgent care center or see your eye care provider right away if you have any of the following eye symptoms:

• complete or partial loss of vision
• pain in or around your eye
• sensitivity to light
• new spots or floaters in your field of vision
• halos around light
• a pupil that has developed an irregular shape
• redness or excessive tearing
• severe itching and burning
• appearance of thick greenish or white discharge from the eye
• blurred vision that lasts more then a few minutes
• injury to an eye including scratches, burns, or chemicals in the eye
• something imbedded in your eye (such as a piece of glass)
• flashes of light and/or floating spots or lines in your vision
• double vision
• swelling of the eyelids

In the event of an eye injury, getting immediate medical care may prevent loss of sight. Although first aid is helpful, it is difficult to know the extent of damage to the eye without getting checked by an eye care provider.

What is the cause of eye symptoms?

There are many possible causes. Many medical problems can cause eye problems. Illnesses such as diabetes or hypertension can also contribute to vision problems. Some vision changes may be caused by a problem in the brain. Others may be related to medicine or nerve or muscle diseases. There are also many eye disorders such as cataracts, glaucoma, or a detached retina that can cause symptoms. Having your eyes checked by an eye care provider will help you discover the cause and prevent further problems.

Reviewed for medical accuracy by faculty at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins. Web site: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/wilmer/

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