Chemical splash in my eye — what do I do?+
Rinse immediately with clean water or saline for at least 15-20 minutes. Don't stop to call first — start rinsing. Hold your eye open under a gentle tap or shower. Then call us or go to the ER. Bring the container of whatever splashed in, if safe.
Something is stuck in my eye.+
Don't rub. Don't try to remove it with fingers or tweezers — you can make it worse. Blink repeatedly and let your tears flush it. If that doesn't work, rinse with clean water or saline. If still stuck, cover the eye lightly (no pressure) and come in or go to the ER.
I got poked or hit in the eye.+
If there's no obvious blood, cut, or severe pain: apply a cold compress (not ice directly) for 15 minutes. Take acetaminophen (not ibuprofen — it thins blood) for pain. Call us to be seen within 24 hours. If there IS bleeding, vision loss, severe pain, or something embedded, go to the ER.
My eye suddenly got very red with no obvious cause.+
A sudden bright red patch with no pain and no vision change is usually a subconjunctival hemorrhage — a broken blood vessel. It looks scary but heals in 1-2 weeks on its own. If it comes with pain, vision change, or happens after injury, call us.
I'm seeing flashes of light or a big increase in floaters.+
This can be a sign of retinal tear or detachment — an urgent situation. Call us right away (or the on-call number if after hours). Getting seen within 24 hours dramatically improves outcomes.
My eye is swollen shut from something.+
If it's from an insect bite or allergy: antihistamine + cold compress, call us if it doesn't improve in a few hours. If it's from trauma or comes with fever, severe pain, or vision changes: ER.
I lost a contact lens in my eye.+
The lens can't get 'behind' the eye — anatomically impossible. It's folded somewhere under the lid. Look up, down, and to each side while holding the lid open. If you can't find it, it probably fell out. If you feel something, use rewetting drops and blink, or come see us.
My child got eye makeup/soap/shampoo in their eye.+
Rinse with clean lukewarm water for 5-10 minutes. Comfort them. Most children's reactions settle quickly. If they're still crying hard after rinsing, vision seems off, or the eye looks unusual — call us.