Whether you are simply suffering from Nashville allergies or experiencing sudden eye pain or vision loss, our doctors are always available for emergency eye care!
It is important to have medical eye issues properly evaluated, diagnosed and treated, as many conditions may mimic each other. (You might think you scratched your eye but it actually could be a corneal ulcer!)
Below are some of the most common emergent medical conditions we treat at Look East. If you are experiencing an ocular emergency, please call our office immediately. Our friendly staff is trained to help determine how quickly you need to be seen and schedule your appointment. Don’t wait until your symptoms get worse…the sooner eye conditions are treated, the better the outcome will be!
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Bumps and lid swelling should all be evaluated in a timely manner. Along the eyelid margins we all have glands that release the oil layer of our tear film. These glands can become infected (causing styes) or inflamed (causing chalazions) and can result in needing surgery if left untreated.
In cases of early, mild styes, an at-home regimen of good lid hygiene and an antibiotic ointment may be all that is necessary for treatment. In more advanced, larger styes, in-office treatment can help melt the trapped oil and reduce eyelid inflammation. This can be accomplished using our Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL), Low Light Level Treatment (LLLT), or a combination of the two.
There are various other lid bumps that can occur so do not always assume that it is a stye or chalazion. It is important that any bumps around the eyes be microscopically evaluated to rule out cancerous lesions. If our doctors find anything of concern, additional testing or ophthalmological referral may be necessary.
Eyelid swelling is another common condition that can have a variety of causes. In many causes it may be related to a simple culprit such as an allergic response to a new detergent or face wash. However, in some cases, it may be indicative of a deeper issue such as orbital cellulitis, which can be fatal if left untreated.
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Ocular allergies run rampant in the Nashville community and can cause a host of symptoms such as redness, itching, watering, and swelling. They are typically easily treated with over-the-counter or prescription medications.
If you feel you are suffering from allergies, it is important to have a visit with us to ensure that is the only cause of your symptoms. We can use our slit lamp microscope to evaluate the structures of your eye to determine the underlying cause. In some cases, dry eye disease, infections, and even pink eye could be the culprit (or it may even be a combination of conditions!)
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“Pink eye” (or conjunctivitis) is much more complex than most people realize. There are multiple forms of conjunctivitis, and using an antibiotic is not the proper treatment for all of them.
Conditions such as allergies, dry eye, or other various infections can mimic pink eye, so it is important to have our doctors evaluate to confirm your diagnosis and treatment plan! (As well as prevent spreading contagious versions to your family and community!)
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Whether you scratched the white part of your eye (the conjunctiva) or the clear surface of the eye (the cornea), abrasions can be painful and require antibiotic treatment for proper healing. It is especially important to treat corneal abrasions, as these can scar if they heal improperly which can permanently affect your vision.
If you think you may have scratched your eye, it is also important to have this evaluated to be sure that is truly the cause of your redness, pain, and light sensitivity. In some cases, a corneal ulcer can mimic an abrasion, and treatment may vary, particularly for contact lens wearers.
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Having anything stuck in your eye, whether it is a contact lens or a piece of metal, is another ocular emergency. Rest assured that nothing can get trapped behind your eye, but a foreign body can scratch the surface of the eye, become embedded, or cause an infection. It is essential to have the offending object removed quickly and professionally to prevent any further damage.
It is especially important to have metal fully removed, as any remnants left behind can rust, which can cause permanent scarring and vision loss. In many cases, the metal is superficial and can be removed in our office using numbing drops, our slit lamp microscope, and sterile instruments.
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New flashes of light, floaters (dark spots in vision) or total loss of vision (even if temporary) is an ocular emergency that needs to be evaluated immediately. Our doctors need to perform a dilated eye exam to thoroughly examine all of your retinal structures and determine the cause of these symptoms.
In some cases, these visual effects are simply a side effect of migraines or a common condition called a vitreal detachment. However, they may also be a sign of a retinal hole or tear which can result in a full retinal detachment and permanent vision loss if left untreated. These conditions typically require prompt referral to a retinal surgeon.