What is the best time to see and eye doctor? Ophthalmology in my own words
Dr. Izza Italia | July 12, 2022
In Ophthalmology, we have categories, based on the symptoms and diagnosis, on the urgency to see an eye doctor- absolute, urgent and elective.
We only have 2 absolute emergencies – Central Retinal Artery Occlusion and Chemical Injury. Let me expound simply on these two.
Central Retinal Artery Occlusion will present as sudden onset painless visual loss on one eye. Though there have been unfortunate cases where both eyes are involved, usually only one eye is affected. These happen to those who have vascular risk factors, or diseases that predisposes their blood vessels to get clogged in the setting of high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, or fragile blood vessels. The blood vessel supplying the visual pathways, the light, dark and color receptors are blocked. Without blood, nutrients, and oxygen, these structures responsible for vision cease to function, hence the symptoms of sudden visual loss. At the emergency setting, we examine the structures involve and identify contributing risk factors. This is like a stroke in the brain, we rushed to save the patient’s vision, because there is a high chance it will be a permanent visual loss. Time is of the essence.
Chemical Injury to the eye must be neutralized as soon as possible with clean water. Chemicals are either acidic (hydrochloric acid) or alkali (car battery explosion). In addition to the first aid, we further thoroughly wash the affected eye with normal saline solution at the emergency solution and use acidity strips to check if the pH balance is back to normal. Some structures may be permanently damaged if the chemical is too strong, or the exposure is too long. At the emergency setting, after the eye is neutralized, we examine the status of the structures involved in the injury and advise depending on the extent of the injury.
Other urgent eye diseases that we have to see as soon as possible that can lead to visual loss are Glaucoma attack or high eye pressure with eye redness, Endophthalmitis or painful red eye from an infection inside the eye that needs antibiotic treatment, Retinal Detachment with painless visual loss and other painful surface eye infections.
Other important eye symptoms such as slowly progressive, painless blurring of vision, mildly inflamed transient red eyes, transient foreign body sensations, photophobia or fear of the light, can be seen based on an elective schedule.
In summary, visual symptoms such as blurring of vision, painful eyes, and red eyes point to special attention to our eyes. The dictum is the more bothersome, the more urgent. We direct our targets and goals where we see the sharpest. So, let us not take our vision for granted and see an eye doctor as soon as possible when our eyes don’t feel 100% at its best.
