Emergencies involving the eyes are common and complex. Unfortunately as a layman you can only do little or nothing, except immediately consulting an ophthalmologist on emergency service.
The following lists some situations:
- Acid-based cleaning agents sprayed into the eye: immediate 15 minute flushing of the open eye with tap water > then consult an ophthalmologist immediately.
- Alkaline solvents (extremely rare) or lime hydrant splashes (almost always on construction sites): do nothing > consult an ophthalmologist immediately.
- Foreign object in the eye, which cannot be removed even after a long time of flushing > consult an ophthalmologist immediately.
- Impact of objects at high speed, e.g. a ball, branch, fist etc., with resulting visual deterioration with or without externally visual blood > consult an ophthalmologist immediately.
- Sudden squinting, double vision, blindness on one eye, even if briefly for a few minutes > consult an ophthalmologist immediately.
- Spontaneous blood in the eye, without knowing the cause > consult an ophthalmologist immediately.
- Dots or objects floating in front of the eyes, defects, flashes or sector failures in the range of vision, on one side or both sides > consult an ophthalmologist immediately.
- Distorted, non-round or unresponsive pupil > consult an ophthalmologist immediately.
Self-help is not recommended
We only recommend that you take the initiative in the first case of eye emergencies listed here, but you will not be spared the trip to the ophthalmic emergency service. This list is not complete, in case of uncertainty, please consult a specialist. We are there for you in case of emergency.