Emergency Eye Care in New York

It is common for small foreign objects, like dust, dirt, or hair, to enter the eyes. While the eye’s natural system usually flushes these out, you can help remove them by flushing them out with clean water or artificial tears. Occasionally, they can scratch the cornea, which may require antibiotics to prevent infection.

Follow these first aid steps if you have something in your eye:

• DO NOT rub your eye.
• DO NOT use tweezers around your eye.
• Blink and encourage your tears to flush out the object.
• Lift your upper eyelid over the lashes of your lower lid to let your eyelashes try brushing the object out.
• Use eyewash, saline solution, or clean, running tap water to flush your eye.
• Call Advanced Eye Physician or go to your nearest emergency room as soon as possible if you cannot get the object out of your eye or if it feels like something is still in your eye after you have removed it.

Larger or sharper items, like glass or metal, can cause significant damage and require a medical professional to remove them. If a sharp foreign object has gotten in your eye, do not rub your eye. Call us immediately or visit your nearest emergency room.

A blow to the face or eye can result in many different eye injuries, like a black eye, corneal abrasion, or retinal detachment. If you get hit in the face or eye, gently apply a cold compress to reduce swelling and pain (DO NOT use food items that can introduce bacteria into the eye).

If you develop a black eye or experience pain or vision changes even after a light blow, call us immediately or visit your nearest emergency room. Your injury may be more serious than it looks.