Alexander Heights
Ph (08) 9343 0278 or 0422 710 020
OPENING HOURS
Mon ~ Fri: 10am - 5:30pm
Sat: 10am - 5:00pm
(Some Sat: 10am - 1pm)
Sundays & Public Holidays Closed
Other Times By Appointment
Urgent Eyecare / Emergency
Our experienced therapeutic optometrist has the expertise to diagnose and manage eye emergency conditions accurately and efficiently, such as foreign bodies, eye pain, red eyes, headaches, retinal and macular emergency. Our practice is very well equipped to handle eye emergency conditions. For example, high resolution magnified photography and scans of both external and internal eye health is available to show and explain to patients for fully understanding of their conditions to improve their compliance of treatments for effective management. For those eye emergency conditions required to be managed by ophthalmologists or other medical professionals, emergency referrals and appointments can be arranged swiftly.
Our optometrist worked in an eye specialist clinic in a hospital. He is a certified and registered as therapeutic endorsed optometrists in Australia, therefore, he is able to prescribe many eye medications to treat common eye conditions.
Some of the emergency cases have been diagnosed and managed are as below:
Removal of Embedded Corneal Foreign Body
A corneal foreign body is one of the main causes of blindness. The effects can range from mild infections (corneal abrasion, keratitis) to severe damage (endophthalmitis) depending on the type of material. Late-stage complications can cause permanent blindness. (Reference: The Influence of Corneal Foreign Body on Eye Infection | Atlantis Press (atlantis-press.com)
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Patient: 74 year old man came in with foreign body sensation with blinkings in his right eye. Normal vision was reported.
History: A metal foreign body was found embedded in his nasal peripheral cornea outside the pupillary zone.
Examination: High resolution magnified images were taken and used for explaining the conditions and procedures required to the prepare the patient psychologically in order to avoid panic attack; and documenting the conditions and severity for future reference and comparision.
Management: After his consent of proceeding the procedure, local anesthetic eye drops were applied and the foreign body was gently and painlessly removed with a sterilized tool. Rust residues and stain were found underneath and then successfully removed by another sterilized special tool without any discomfort.
Eye medication and instructions were given, and a review in 24 hours was scheduled to ensure normal wound healing without any complications.
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Guide: Local experienced therapeutic optometrists with sufficient equipment and tools, such as slit lamp imaging and foreign body removal tools, including corneal rust ring remover Algerbrush, are the best practitioners to manage these cases. All cases should return in 24 hours (or sooner if symptoms worsen) for re-evaluation to ensure the corneal wound healing normally. Untreated corneal infection and ulcers can lead to severe permanent vision loss and even loss of an eye. Close follow-up until the corneal epithelial defect resolves.
Emergency Case With Severe Central Corneal Abrasion
Patient: Female, early 40's (AH3824)
Symptoms: Left eye with severe pain with blurry vision after removing her disposable soft contact lens.
Signs: Severe central corneal abrasion involving pupillary zone.
Management: Lay-off contact lens. Prescription (non over-the-counter) antibiotic eye drops for contact lens wearer were prescribed. Refer to see ophthalmologist urgently. A few visits were required to monitor the progress.
Outcome: Cornea healed gradually over weeks and vision was still affected. Spectacle prescription changed and new lenses were required.
Guide: Many contact lens wearers, especially disposable lenses, have poor compliance or even ignore hygiene, source of lenses and solution (if any), regular lens replacements and checkup schedules. In fact, they are exposing themselves to the risks of permanent severe visual impairement. Contact lens wear is very safe if professional instructions and ongoing
guidance and are followed. However, updated
information and guidance cannot be obtained from the practitioners if checkups are ignored or avoided. In fact, any eye problems arised might
cause pain, inconvenience, substantial cost to manage and treat them. In some cases, visual impairment can affect their independence, life style, job, income and future. Simply following professional advice is the best way to avoid all these issues.