Eye Emergencies /Pink Eye
Eye Emergencies Dos and Don'ts
If you have an eye-related emergency, contact The Spectrum Eye Centre Partners of FYIdoctors. You do not need a referral, and we can often see you on the same day.
Health coverage of urgent care services varies by province but Saskatchewan Health covers emergency medical eye care for everyone.
Prescribing Medication
Our Regina Optometrist can prescribe therapeutic pharmaceutical agents (TPAs) to treat eye diseases and conditions, such as infections, inflammations, allergies, diseases and injuries. TPAs may be administered orally or topically.
- Bacterial and viral eye infections;
- Eyelid infections and inflammation, such as Blepharitis and Styes;
- Inflammation of the eye itself, such as anterior uveitis;
- Eye pain due to dry eyes;
- Allergic conjunctivitis;
- Superficial corneal foreign bodies;
- Glaucoma;
- Red, sore, irritated eyes due to contact lens wear;
- Pre- and post-operative conditions associated with cataract or refractive surgery.
Red, Pink or Sore Eyes?
The Spectrum is ready to look after all of your eye care needs in one location. In addition to the services you already rely on us for such as routine eye exams, contact lenses. designer frames and eyeglasses-think of our optometrists for sore, red, or itchy eyes,treatment of “pink eye” and other bacterial infections.removal of foreign bodies from the eye (such as wood or metal),treatment of eye allergies or burns,emergency eye care
Eye Emergencies
We are always willing to help, should you ever experience an eye emergency. Our office provides emergency services for eye infections, eye injuries and other eye urgencies. Technology allows us to examine the front surface of the eye and also digitally scan inside the eye for infection or damage. We accommodate many eye emergencies such as:
- Eye infections
- Foreign materials stuck in the eyes
- Eye trauma
- Scratched eyes
- Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes• Lost or broken contact lenses or eyeglasses
- Flashes of light in the vision
- Halos (coloured circles around lights)
- “Floaters” in the vision
- Red or painful eyes
- Dislodged contact lenses
- Uncomfortable, itchy, or irritated eyes
Studies have shown that an overwhelming number of emergency room visits could have been treated by an optometrist. These ranged from foreign bodies to severe eye allergies to eye infections as the most common reasons for emergency room visits. It is not always necessary to go to an emergency room for eye emergencies. Optometrists are equipped to treat the majority of eye emergencies.
We understand the importance of eye care when you encounter symptoms such as those listed above. These are signs that an immediate evaluation or consultation is necessary - please call us to set one up if you are experiencing an eye emergency of any kind.
CAUSES OF RED EYES INFECTION
• Bacterial conjunctivitis
• Viral keratoconjunctivitis
• Blepharitis
• Chalazion
• Stye (hordeolum)
• Bacterial corneal ulcer
• Herpes simplex keratitis
• Fungal keratitis
• Chlamydial conjunctivitis
• Post-operative endophthalmitis
• Pre-septal cellulitis
• Orbital cellulitis
• Dacryocystitis
ALLERGY
• Allergic conjunctivitis
• Vernal keratoconjunctivitis
• Giant papillary conjunctivitis
INFLAMMAT0RY
• Dry eye syndrome
• Pterygium
• Episcleritis
• Iritis
• Uveitis
• Scleritis
• Contact lens acute red eye
• Corneal graft rejection
TRAUMA
• Corneal foreign body
• Corneal abrasion
• Penetrating eye injury
• Chemical burn
• Solution toxicity
• Recurrent corneal erosions
• Ectropion
ELEVATED EYE PRESSURE
• Angle closure glaucoma
• Pupil-block glaucoma
• Pigment dispersion syndrome
VASCULAR
• Carotid cavernous fistula
• Subconjunctival haemorrhage
• Neovascular glaucoma
The cause of a red eye is complex and needs to be determined properly. Let us treat your red eye condition
Saskatchewan Health covers emergency medical eye care for everyone.