- email: contact@annecy-ophtalmo.fr
- 645 Route de Champ Farçon, 74370 Argonay
- Call us: +33 450230323
Eye emergency: chemical burn, injury, foreign body
Some situations cannot wait. Here are the steps to know and the signs that mean you must seek medical attention or call 15.
Burn or chemical splash
Rinse immediately and thoroughly with clean water or saline, holding the eyelids apart, for at least fifteen minutes, without waiting for medical advice; remove contact lenses. Then seek emergency care, bringing the container or product name. Alkaline products (caustic soda, ammonia, lime) are particularly dangerous.
Blow to the eye, wound
Do not rub or press on the eye. Protect it with a shield or cup without applying pressure. A wound, bruising of the eye, a misshapen pupil or reduced vision requires a prompt consultation. A metal fragment or high-speed projectile (grinder, tool) warrants an emergency examination, even if there is almost no pain.
Foreign body, dust
Do not try to remove an embedded object. For dust, rinsing with saline is often sufficient. If discomfort persists, seek medical advice: a small corneal injury may need treatment.
Call 15 or go to the emergency department
Intense pain, sudden reduction in vision, loss of vision in one eye, flashes and a black curtain, a very painful red eye with nausea, significant injury: call 15 or go to the emergency department, particularly outside the practice's opening hours. For less urgent situations, see eye emergencies and appointment booking.
Frequently asked questions
When should I call 15?
In the event of sudden loss of vision, intense pain, significant injury or if you are unsure outside the practice's opening hours.
Should I use eye drops bought from a pharmacy after a blow to the eye?
Not without advice: seek a consultation first.
Can I drive with an eye shield?
No: it is better to have someone accompany you.
Learn more
Our doctors
- Dr Florian Baudincornea, refractive surgery, cataracts, glaucoma, medical retina
- Dr Lorane Bechetsurgical and medical retina, cataracts
- Dr Florian Chaiseeyelids, cataracts, refractive surgery, medical retina
- Dr Xavier Piquotcataracts, refractive surgery, medical retina, glaucoma
On the website
Sources and external information
In the event of sudden loss of vision or pain, see eye emergencies.
Our practices
Annecy-Argonay
645 route de Champ Farçon, 74370 Argonay
Faverges
27 place Gambetta, 74210 Faverges
Rumilly
5 rue Frédéric Girod, 74150 Rumilly
Sallanches
35 rue Emma Lanche, 74700 Sallanches
04 50 23 03 23Book an appointmentDirections and parkingReception Monday to Friday, 8 am – 6 pm