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Eye Physicians &
Surgeons
in New Bern,
North Carolina
252.514.2155
New Bern Office
The doctors at
Davidson Eye Clinic
are available for the eye emergencies of our patients 24
hours a day, 7 days a week because we realize the importance
of your eye health.
We can be reached by following the instructions on our after-hours
recordings at: (252) 514-2155 in New Bern or (252)
808-0200 in Morehead City.
Not sure whether to call? Read on...
|
Symptoms |
When to Seek Care |
|
Patient feels as if a shade or curtain has been pulled over eyes. May see light flashes or floaters. |
Immediately- This may be an emergency.
|
|
Patient sees streaks of lightning off to one side. May also have floaters or decreased vision or curtain as above. |
Immediately- This may be an emergency. |
|
Patients sees a spot floating in eye or "spider web". May also see flashing lights, have decreased vision and/or curtain. |
Immediately- This may be an emergency. |
|
Patient has eye pain-sudden onset within 24 hours. May also have headache, red eye, nausea or other visual complaints. |
Immediately- This may be an emergency. |
|
Patient feels something is in eye. |
Immediately- This may be an emergency. |
|
Droopy lid - recent onset. |
Schedule appointment within 1 to 2 weeks. |
|
Head injury - could result in several eye problems. |
Same day or next day. |
|
Patient complains of discharge, redness, photophobia (extreme sensitivity to light). |
Same day or next day. |
|
Loss of vision - sudden onset. Could be fluctuating or permanent. May see flashes of light or floaters. |
Immediately- This may be an emergency. |
|
Loss of vision - previous onset. May be associated with trauma. |
Schedule appointment within 1 to 2 weeks. |
|
Double vision. |
Schedule appointment within 1-2 days. |
What are the most common causes of eye injury?
Construction activities account for a
large percentage of eye injuries we see. To reduce the risk of trauma or injury to the eye, be sure to wear protective
goggles or face masks whenever appropriate, such when playing sports, working in
the shop, or mixing/using caustic chemicals.
A minute of preparation can be
worth a lifetime of good vision..
If something should penetrate your eye e.g. fishing hooks, high speed foreign
bodies from power tools, DO NOT attempt to remove it yourself, but seek
medical help immediately.
When should I go to the Emergency
Room after having an eye injury?
Complete evaluation by an ophthalmologist trained in eye trauma is essential after any type of eye injury. Anyone who sustains a serious injury to the eye, including blunt injuries, should be seen as soon as possible. In the case of a serious eye injury, the injured eye should be covered with a protective shield and the injured person should not have anything to eat or drink, but rather should seek an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. Examination by emergency room physicians who are not ophthalmologists does not substitute for complete evaluation by a trained ophthalmologist. Complete examination of the eyes after injury includes a slit lamp examination and dilated pupil examination. Prompt treatment of many eye injuries will lessen the impact of these injuries on the patients' future visual functioning and is therefore encouraged.
What should I do if I see flashing lights and floaters in my visual field?
The sudden onset of many floating spots and flashing lights in association with the feeling that part of the vision is covered by a visual field with a black curtain or a shade, may represent a retinal tear or detachment. Examination by an ophthalmologist is essential as soon as these symptoms appear. Anyone who has an onset of new floaters with or without flashing light should be seen by an ophthalmologist for a dilated fundus exam.
What is viral conjunctivitis?
Viral conjunctivitis is a very common infection of the outer layer of the eye, the conjunctive, caused most commonly by the common cold virus. Treatment is largely supportive, consisting of cool compresses and artificial tears with medicines given to relieve itching as needed. Often we will give an antibiotic ointment to soothe the eye and protect it from bacterial infection, but this does not treat the viral process, which resolves on its own. Patients with viral conjunctivitis are contagious for approximately seven days after the onset of symptoms. Patients should be very careful to avoid touching their eyes. Frequent hand washing is advised. The symptoms of viral conjunctivitis can last up to three weeks and may fluctuate before finally resolving. Viral conjunctivitis is very common, especially in the winter months. Nonetheless, not all cases of a red eye are viral conjunctivitis and anyone who has a red eye that does not seem to be improving should be seen by an ophthalmologist to rule out causes of ocular redness.
252.514.2155 Email: eyecare@davidsoneyeclinic.com
Email is for
information purposes only.
Call our office for appointments and eye care emergencies.