Urgent Care Services Edina

Specific eye injuries and conditions can cause irreversible damage if not cared for properly. If you experience any of the following symptoms, schedule a consultation with a doctor at Art of Optiks Edina immediately.

• Foreign particle in the eye
• Red eyes
• Corneal abrasion
• Contact lens injury
• Eye infections
• Flashes and floaters
• Sudden change in vision
• Transient loss of vision
• Head trauma and concussion evaluation

Chemical Exposure

Proper precautions are essential to prevent eye injuries from causing severe damage and vision loss. If you or a loved one has been exposed to a harmful chemical, you must immediately rinse the eye to clean out the chemical. To best avoid chemical exposure, wear protective eye coverings in labs and factories.

Foreign Particle Removal

Foreign objects such as dirt, eyelashes, sawdust, or sand can get stuck in your eyes. Usually, these objects cause irritation, pain, or inflammation. Often, foreign particles work their way out naturally, but sometimes an object can pierce your eye, causing severe damage.

If a foreign particle is stuck in your eye for longer than a few hours, contact an eye doctor at Art of Optiks Edina. Further attempts to remove the object should only be performed by an eye doctor who can use anesthetic eye drops to numb any pain.

Red Eyes

If you notice redness in one or both eyes, it could be a result of inflammation or a sign of an infection. Red eyes are uncomfortable and can be caused by various factors, including allergies, common colds, conjunctivitis, or a sty. If you experience any of the symptoms listed below, schedule an appointment at Art of Optiks Edina as soon as possible.

• Pain
• Redness
• Inflammation
• Swelling
• Sensitivity to light
• Itchiness
• Burning
• Tearing up
• Discharge

Corneal Abrasion

The cornea is the clear, front covering of your eye. The cornea protects your pupil and iris from dust and debris. Eyelashes, eyelids, and tears also work together to keep your eye clear from foreign bodies. In certain instances, the cornea can get scratched, and this scratch is referred to as a corneal abrasion.

If you suspect that you have a corneal abrasion, we encourage you to schedule an appointment right away. If the abrasion is serious, immediate action is required. Be aware of the following symptoms of corneal abrasion:

• Red, irritated eyes
• Eye pain
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light
• Feeling like something is in your eye or under your eyelid

Contact Lens Injury

Proper contact lens care is vital to keep eye injuries at bay. Avoid wearing contacts for longer than 12 hours or sleeping with them in. If you experience dry eyes while wearing contacts, you could be at a higher risk of injury. Contact lens injuries usually affect your cornea, but your eyes can heal quickly once you start treatment. If you experience a contact lens injury, your eye doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops or apply an eye patch.

Eye Infection

Bacteria, viruses, or fungi can infect your eye, and eye infections can happen to anyone. Conjunctivitis, also called pink eye, is one of the most common eye infections. Other eye infections include keratitis and sty. Watch out for the following symptoms of eye infections:

• Redness
• Itching
• Discharge
• Crusting over eyelid
• Pain
• Sensitivity to light
• Swelling

Flashes and Floaters

If you experience sudden flashes and small floating shapes in your line of vision, seek an examination from Art of Optiks Edina right away. Flashes and floaters are a signal for posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) or retinal tears. PVD causes strain on your retina that results in flashes and floaters. It is essential to seal retinal tears immediately to prevent retinal detachment.

Sudden Change in Vision

An unexpected loss of sharp vision or extended blurred vision can be signs of a severe underlying issue. An eye doctor at Art of Optiks Edina will gain a medical history, listen to the events leading up to the vision change, and help narrow down symptoms that may signal an issue. Commonly, a refractive error causes blurred vision, but there are other serious conditions that it could be related to, such as:

• Tumors
• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Brain hemorrhage
• Inflammation of the optic nerve
• Harm to the eye or surrounding area
• Elevated spinal fluid pressure
• Brain swelling
• Inflamed blood vessels
• Acute angle-closure glaucoma

Transient Loss of Vision

Amaurosis fugax is the medical term for temporary loss of vision. This condition is rare, but it causes vision loss from seconds to minutes. Prompt treatment is necessary to avoid permanent vision loss.

Temporary vision loss typically occurs due to reduced blood flow to the eye. Conditions that can cause amaurosis fugax include:

• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• High cholesterol
• Regular migraines
• Glaucoma

Head Trauma and Concussion Evaluation

If you are involved in an accident or athletic collision and suspect a concussion, seek medical care immediately. Head trauma and concussions can affect your vision if left untreated. Our eye doctors will assess the extent of your injury and perform a concussion evaluation. They will also conduct a visual assessment that will determine functions, such as:

• Focusing
• Eye teaming and tracking
• Depth perception
• Overall eye health