Emergency Eye Care in Fort Smith

Flashes may appear as flashing lights or lightning streaks in your field of vision. While occasional flashes become more common as you age, any new random flashes should be reported to your eye doctor.

Floaters appear as small lines or cobwebs in your field of vision. Floaters are microscopic fibers that tend to clump and cast tiny shadows on the retina.

You should contact our team right away if: 

• A shadow appears in your peripheral vision
• You have an increased amount of flashes
• You notice new random floaters
• A gray curtain covers part of your vision

These symptoms may indicate a retinal detachment and should be reported and treated as soon as possible.

Chemical eye injuries can occur from simple activities like household chores or tending to your garden. Chemicals from cleaning products, industrial chemicals, and garden chemicals can get in your eyes and cause damage.

If you get chemicals in your eyes, the following steps can help: 

• Wash your hands with soap and cool water thoroughly.
• Turn your head, so the affected eye is down and to the side.
• Hold the affected eyelid open and flush it out with clean tap water for 15 minutes.

A chemical eye injury has the potential to cause serious damage, and you should contact us for urgent eye care as soon as possible.

Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, occurs when there is an inflammation or infection of the transparent membrane that lines the eyelid and covers the white of the eyes.

Some common signs and symptoms of pink eye can include: 

• Eye redness
• Itchy eyes
• A gritty feeling in your eyes
• Tearing in the affected eye
• A pus-like discharge

In some cases, conjunctivitis can be contagious and cause eye pain and severe redness. In severe cases of conjunctivitis, you may require urgent eye care to treat and manage it.

Your eyes are sensitive to trauma, so a cut or scratch to your eyeballs or eyelids can indicate the need for urgent medical care. Applying a loose bandage in the moment while you wait for medical attention can help preserve your vision.

It is important not to apply too much pressure.

Small foreign objects such as sand and dust, while usually harmless, can sometimes get in your eyes and cause discomfort. Here are some steps to follow to help alleviate irritation:

• Avoid rubbing your eye and try blinking to see if it clears up
• Wash your hands and look into your eye to try to locate the object
• Use artificial tear eye drops to help rinse out the debris
• Flush your eyes with cool water
• If irritation continues, contact us for treatment

Large foreign objects can be a cause for more concern and result in severe damage. If something like glass or metal gets stuck in your eyes, leave it where it is and seek urgent medical attention. 

It is essential not to touch the object, apply pressure, or attempt to remove it.