Red Eye or Something in Your Eye? When to Get Seen Right Away
Most eye irritation clears up on its own. But some symptoms, like a red eye that keeps getting worse, the feeling that something is stuck in your eye, or sudden halos around lights, deserve prompt attention. Knowing which symptoms can wait and which cannot helps you protect your vision and avoid an unnecessary emergency room visit.
Go to the Emergency Room or Call 911 For These Symptoms
Some eye problems need emergency care right away, day or night:
- Chemical splash: rinse the eye with clean, lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes, then get emergency care.
- An object stuck in or cutting the eye: do not try to remove it, and do not rub or press on the eye. Cover the eye loosely with something rigid that does not touch the object, such as the bottom of a paper cup, and get help. Do not use cloth or gauze, which can snag on the object, and do not use styrofoam, which can break apart and get into the eye.
- Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes.
- A sudden shower of new floaters, flashes of light, or a curtain over part of your vision, which can signal a retinal detachment.
- Severe eye pain with headache, nausea, and halos around lights, which can be a sign of acute angle-closure glaucoma.
- Sudden double vision, especially with weakness, numbness, or trouble speaking.
Call an Eye Doctor the Same Day For These
Other symptoms are not usually emergencies but should be checked soon by an eye care professional. These include a red eye with discharge, new sensitivity to light, blurry vision that does not clear with blinking, and the feeling that something is still in your eye after rinsing. That last one is common. A small eyelash or debris can hide under the eyelid, and a scratch on the surface of the eye can feel exactly like something is still there.
If you wear contact lenses and your eye is red and painful, take the lenses out and do not put them back in until you have been seen. Contact lens wearers are at higher risk for serious eye infections.
Why an Eye Doctor Instead of Urgent Care?
Eye doctors have specialized microscopes that let them examine the surface of the eye, look under the eyelid, and check for scratches that are hard to see otherwise. Many urgent care clinics do not have that equipment. Our affiliated doctors of optometry provide medical eye care as well as routine exams. If you have a non-emergency symptom, call your nearest Harvey & Lewis location and describe what is happening so the team can advise you on how soon you should be seen.
Frequently Asked Questions About Urgent Eye Problems
What should I do if something is stuck in my eye?
Do not rub your eye. Blink several times and rinse with clean water or saline to flush out small particles like an eyelash or dust. If the feeling does not go away, or your eye becomes red or painful, see an eye doctor. If something is embedded in the eye, do not try to remove it yourself. Cover the eye loosely with something rigid, like a paper cup, without letting it touch the object, and get emergency care. Avoid cloth, gauze, and styrofoam.
Why does my eye still feel like something is in it after rinsing?
It could be a small piece of debris under your eyelid, or it could be a corneal abrasion, which is a scratch on the clear front surface of the eye. Scratches often feel just like a foreign object. An eye doctor can examine the eye under magnification, remove anything trapped, and check for a scratch that may need treatment.
When is a red eye an emergency?
A red eye is an emergency when it comes with severe pain, sudden vision loss, a chemical exposure, or an injury that cut or punctured the eye. A red eye with discharge, light sensitivity, or mild pain is not usually an emergency, but it should be checked by an eye doctor soon, especially if you wear contact lenses.
Are halos around lights a sign of something serious?
Sometimes. Halos that develop gradually are often related to cataracts, dry eye, or an outdated prescription. Halos that appear suddenly along with eye pain, headache, nausea, or a red eye can signal acute angle-closure glaucoma, which is a medical emergency. If that happens, go to the emergency room right away.
Can an optometrist treat an eye infection or scratch?
Yes. Doctors of optometry can diagnose and treat many common eye problems, including infections, irritation, and scratches on the surface of the eye. They can also tell you if your condition needs a referral to a specialist. Call ahead so the office knows your symptoms and can plan your visit.
Have an eye problem that is not an emergency? Call our main line at (860) 522-2020 or find your nearest location in Hartford, West Hartford, Glastonbury, Enfield, Berlin, Farmington, Canton, or Cheshire.
