Eye Health Center

Have you had a chemical splashed into your eye?Note: When a chemical burn occurs, find out what chemical (acid or alkaline) caused the burn. When you call your doctor or a Poison Control Center or the National Poison Control Hotline (1-800-222-1222) have the chemical container with you so you can read the label to the Poison Control person.

Do you have pain, redness, discharge, or tearing after flushing your eye with water for 30 minutes?

Do you have any vision changes after flushing your eye with water for 30 minutes? Vision changes may include:Decreased vision.Double vision.Blurred vision.Sensitivity to light (photophobia).

Has your cornea turned white or cloudy after flushing your eye with water for 30 minutes?

Have you gotten superglue in your eye? Note: Flush your eye with water for 30 minutes.

Have you gotten regular glue in your eye? Note: Flush your eye with water for 30 minutes.

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Do you have severe pain?

Do you have decreased vision?

Do you have blisters on your eyelid?

Do you have moderate pain, but your vision is normal?

Do you have blurred vision that does not clear with blinking your eye?

Have you had mild pain for 12 hours or longer that is not getting better with home treatment?Note: If pain is not 100% better after 24 hours of home treatment, an evaluation by a doctor is needed.

Do you have a small to moderate amount of discharge after 24 hours of home treatment?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Do you have severe pain?

Do you have decreased vision?

Do you have blisters on your eyelid?

Do you have moderate pain, but your vision is normal?

Do you have blurred vision that does not clear with blinking your eye?

Do you have mild pain that is not getting better after using home treatment for 12 hours or longer?Note: If pain is not 100% better after 24 hours of home treatment, an evaluation by a doctor is needed.

Do you have a small to moderate amount of discharge after 12 hours of home treatment?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Do you have diabetes?

Do you have a disease or take medicine that causes problems with your immune system?

Do you have pain in your eye?

Do you feel like you have something in your eye (foreign body sensation)?

Are your eyes very sensitive to light (photophobia)?

Do you have a yellow, green, bloody, or watery discharge from your eye?

Is redness of your eye or eyelids getting worse?

Do you have a gray or white sore on your eye?

Do you know or think you have a fever?

Do you have blurred or decreased vision?

Do you have a small to moderate amount of discharge after 24 hours of home treatment?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you may need immediate care. Call your health professional now to discuss your symptoms and arrange for your care.

• Symptoms are likely to worsen without medical care.
• If you do not have a health professional, seek emergency care.
• Emergency transportation is not needed. However, if you are not able to travel safely either by driving yourself or having someone else drive you, call an ambulance.

You do not need to answer any of the other questions.

You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you need to call your health professional to discuss your symptoms and arrange for care.

• An appointment today is usually needed.
• Symptoms are unlikely to improve without medical care.

Return to the Check Your Symptoms section and answer the questions. You may need to see a health professional sooner if you have other more serious symptoms.

You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you may wait to see if your symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or the specified time period). If symptoms improve, no appointment is needed.

• If symptoms do not improve after 24 hours (or the specified time period), an appointment within the next 24 hours is usually needed.
• If appropriate, try home treatment to relieve your symptoms.
• Check your symptoms in 24 hours, or sooner if there is any change.
• Call your health professional if symptoms get worse.

Return to the Check Your Symptoms section and answer the questions. You may need to see a health professional sooner if you have other more serious symptoms.