Augenpraxis OdenwaldAssess the urgency
Acute eye complaints – when should you see an ophthalmologist immediately?
Not every eye complaint is an emergency. Some complaints are unpleasant but can be examined within the next few days. Other symptoms, however, may indicate a serious condition where every hour counts.
To help you judge how urgent your complaints are, we have ordered the most common eye complaints by urgency.
When in doubt, the rule is always: better to get examined once too often than to overlook a serious eye disease.
See an ophthalmologist immediately – true eye emergencies
These complaints should be examined by an ophthalmologist on the same day, as soon as possible.
Sudden loss of vision
If your vision suddenly deteriorates or you lose part of your visual field, this may indicate a serious condition of the retina, the macula or the blood vessels of the eye.
Flashes of light, black spots or a “curtain” in front of the eye
These complaints can be the first signs of a retinal tear or retinal detachment.
Learn more →Severe eye pain
Severe pain is never normal. Possible causes include corneal disease, iritis or an acute glaucoma attack.
Chemical burn of the eye
After contact with chemicals, the eye should be examined promptly.
For every chemical burn of the eye: rinse first – then see the ophthalmologist. Not the other way around.
Double vision or a suddenly drooping eyelid
These complaints can also be caused by neurological conditions and should be clarified promptly.
Prompt examination – within 24 to 48 hours
These complaints are usually not a life-threatening emergency, but should be examined by an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.
Red eye
A red eye can have many causes – from harmless irritation to inflammation of the cornea or the inside of the eye.
Foreign body in the eye
A foreign body can injure the cornea and should be removed as soon as possible.
Contact-lens-related pain or redness
Contact lens wearers have an increased risk of corneal inflammation. An examination should therefore take place promptly.
Stye or painfully swollen eyelid
A stye is usually easy to treat, but should be checked by an ophthalmologist if the symptoms are more severe.
Learn more →Usually not an emergency – an appointment in the next few days is sufficient
These complaints are often unpleasant, but in most cases they are not an ophthalmological emergency.
Eyelid margin inflammation (blepharitis)
A chronic inflammation of the eyelid margin often causes burning, redness and sticky eyelids.
Learn more →Small bleeding on the white of the eye
A sudden red bleeding on the white part of the eye without any loss of vision often looks dramatic, but is usually harmless and disappears on its own.
When should you rather come immediately?
Even if your complaints seem harmless at first, you should always come in immediately if, in addition,
- your vision suddenly deteriorates,
- severe pain occurs,
- flashes of light or a shadow appear in your visual field,
- there is an injury or chemical burn of the eye,
- you develop new complaints after eye surgery.