Go the same day if you have
- Sudden loss or blurring of vision in one or both eyes
- A sudden shower of new floaters, flashes of light, or a shadow or curtain over part of your vision
- A painful red eye, especially with blurred vision, headache or nausea
- Sudden double vision
- Any injury to the eye, or something stuck in it
- A chemical splash (acid, alkali, cleaning liquid, lime/chunnam)
First aid for a chemical splash
- Rinse the eye immediately with plenty of clean running water for at least 15 minutes, holding the eyelids open.
- Do not rub the eye and do not put anything else in it.
- Go to the nearest eye hospital straight after rinsing.
Book a check-up soon if you notice
- Vision slowly getting blurred
- Frequent headaches when reading
- Difficulty seeing at night or more glare
- A child squinting or one eye turning
Do
- Act fast on sudden changes
- Rinse chemical splashes for 15 minutes
- Keep regular eye check-ups
- Wear safety glasses for risky work
Don't
- Wait and see with sudden vision loss
- Rub an injured eye
- Use leftover or someone else's eye drops
- Remove a stuck object yourself
Questions
Are floaters dangerous?
A few floaters that have been there for years are common. A sudden increase, with flashes or a shadow over your vision, can mean a retinal tear and needs to be seen the same day.
Can an optometrist treat these?
Our optometrists test vision and check eye health, and will refer you to an ophthalmologist when you need medical treatment. For the urgent signs above, go directly to an eye hospital.
General information from the optometrists at LenzKare Optical & Eye Clinic, Arumbakkam, Chennai. It does not replace an eye examination. For sudden changes in vision, see an eye doctor the same day.