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Warning-sign checks

Nearsightedness: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Severe eye pain with nausea, a very red eye, chemical exposure, or a major eye injury requires emergency assessment.

    After chemical exposure, rinse the eye immediately with plenty of clean, lukewarm water while arranging emergency help.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek prompt assessment if your prescription changes quickly, vision becomes distorted, or one eye is noticeably worse than the other.

    Get urgent, same-day eye care for:

    • A sudden increase in floaters, which look like dots or threads
    • Flashes of light that are new or increasing
    • A shadow, curtain, or missing area in your vision
    • Sudden unexplained loss or severe blurring of vision
    • A painful, red, light-sensitive eye, especially with contact lens use

    These symptoms can indicate a retinal tear, retinal detachment, infection, or another eye problem requiring rapid treatment.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange a routine eye examination if distance vision is becoming blurry, you are squinting more often, headaches occur during visual tasks, or your current glasses no longer seem clear.

    A child who sits very close to screens, cannot see classroom material, or frequently squints should also have their vision checked.

    These changes are not usually an emergency, but they should not be left until a distant routine appointment.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Nearsightedness. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.