The Workplace Eye Emergency Services

On-the-job eye injuries require immediate attention. All eye injuries and many eye infections are considered to be a medical emergency. Unfortunately, emergency rooms do not have the proper instrumentation, the necessary staff or knowledge to handle most eye injuries, infections or trauma. This type of care is highly specialized. Our doctors are trained Eye Care Professionals with state of the art equipment to treat the majority of eye injuries or infections at our Santa Clarita facility.

We have found that foreign bodies, especially metal, flying into an eye and embedding in the cornea are a major problem. It is a well established fact that embedded iron and related metal will rust in the eye in only a few hours. Rust is highly toxic to eyes and must be removed as soon as possible, often with surgical drills. No emergency room in this area is equipped to do that.

Many items will embed into the soft tissue of the cornea. All embedded metals and even stone materials can cause toxic reactions and eye infections. Embedded wood can cause fungal infections. Rapid removal of embedded foreign bodies by trained doctors is crucial for a good result. Never try to remove any embedded particle from an eye yourself. This can cause further corneal damage

Safety glasses
Special safety glasses are needed for most factories, machine shops, and especially those working with chemicals. Chemicals cause various corneal burns, as the tissue is very delicate. Approved safety glasses are also mandatory for any worker whose job involves welding torches and metal cutting. These workers, when not wearing their safety glasses, often incur severe eye injuries which must be treated immediately. The faster the treatment is begun, the better the success rate of total cure. The Santa Clarita Vision Center has teamed up with the largest safety laboratory in the country, Essilor, to supply OSHA approved safety glasses in any prescription to all personnel where needed. (see our safety eyeglasses page)

Helpful Tips:

Signs/Symptoms of a Foreign Body in the eye:

1.    Mild to severe pain

2.    Scratching sensation in eye or lid

3.     Sensitivity to light

4.     Difficulty in opening eye

5.     Mild to severe redness of eye

6.     Constant burning sensation

If you feel there is something in the eye.

1.     Do not rub your eyes

2.     Keep eyes closed to avoid excessive blinking

3.     Seek professional care, immediately. The longer you wait, the more you risk complications.

If your employees work with chemicals, it would be beneficial to have a container filled with distilled water next to their work area. If any employee accidentally has chemical contact with their eye, the immediate flushing of that affected eye with water significantly reduces the amount of damage that chemical can cause. Flush an eye for at least five minutes and then rush the patient over to an eye care facility.

Remember; if you have any eye emergency call immediately or come right in. Our office hours are weekdays 9:00- 5:30, Saturday, 9:00-2:00, Closed Sunday. After-hours emergency number (661) 904-0275.

Many medical insurances are accepted. Your employee will be seen within minutes, not hours as in all local emergency rooms.

The Santa Clarita Vision Center      thevisioncenter.com
(661) 297-2020