Can You Go to Urgent Care for Eye Issues?
Eye problems can be scary, and it's natural to wonder where to go when they happen. Urgent care centers offer a convenient alternative to the emergency room, but are they equipped to handle your eye concerns? The answer is it depends.
What eye issues can be treated at urgent care?
Urgent care centers can generally handle minor eye issues such as:
- Pink eye (conjunctivitis): This common infection causes redness, itching, and discharge.
- Foreign objects in the eye: If you've gotten something stuck in your eye and it won't come out, urgent care can remove it.
- Minor eye injuries: A small scratch or abrasion on the eye can be treated at urgent care.
- Styes and chalazia: These are painful bumps on the eyelid that can be treated with antibiotics or warm compresses.
When should you go to the ER instead?
Some eye problems are serious and require immediate attention from a specialist. Go to the emergency room if you experience:
- Sudden vision loss: This could be a sign of a serious condition like a detached retina.
- Severe eye pain: Intense pain accompanied by blurred vision or headaches could indicate a serious problem.
- Bleeding from the eye: This is a sign of a serious injury that requires immediate medical attention.
- Bulging eye: This could be a sign of a serious condition like thyroid eye disease.
- Double vision: Sudden double vision could indicate a serious eye problem.
- Flashing lights or floaters: These symptoms can indicate retinal detachment, a serious condition that requires urgent treatment.
What to expect at urgent care
When you visit urgent care for an eye problem, a nurse or doctor will:
- Assess your symptoms: They will ask about your symptoms, medical history, and any medications you're taking.
- Examine your eyes: They will use a magnifying lens and other instruments to examine your eyes.
- Diagnose your condition: Based on your symptoms and examination, they will diagnose your eye problem.
- Prescribe treatment: They may prescribe eye drops, antibiotics, or other medications.
- Recommend follow-up: They may recommend that you see an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) for further treatment.
Always remember:
- Don't delay treatment: If you have a serious eye problem, don't wait to see if it gets better on its own. Get medical attention immediately.
- Know your limits: Urgent care can handle minor eye issues, but for more serious problems, you'll need to see an ophthalmologist.
It's best to err on the side of caution when it comes to your eye health. If you're unsure whether to go to urgent care or the ER, it's always better to be safe than sorry.
