Ask an Eye M.D. Answer Archive
Question:
I was punched by an elbow on my eye by accident almost two days ago. It was painful but it was looking normal. This afternoon I noticed blood on my eye, blurry vision and a very light pain. I can feel more the pressure than the pain. Do I have to go to emergency room?
Answer:
A blunt injury to the eye may cause serious damage - bruising, bleeding, inflammation, tears in the iris, glaucoma, dislocations of the lens, injury to the optic nerve, retinal detachments and even ruptures of the eye. A complete exam by your Eye M.D. will help determine if you have sustained a serious injury. Given the time-line from injury, and your worsening symptoms, it would be reasonable to be evaluated by an Eye M.D. in the next 24-48 hours. However, if you have sudden or significant worsening, you should consider a visit to the ER where an ophthalmologist can be consulted if necessary.
Answered by: Aaron Weingeist, MD 
Categories: Eye Injuries, Eye Conditions, General Eye Health
Have a question that hasn't been answered yet? Ask it!
Search for Questions & Answers
Meet Our Experts
-
Abdhish Bhavsar, MD
- Minneapolis, Minn.
-
Wayne Bizer, DO
- Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
-
Louis B. Cantor, MD
- Indianapolis, Ind.
-
David K. Coats, MD
- Houston, Texas
-
Lee Duffner, MD
- Hollywood, Fla.
-
Tamara Fountain, MD
- Chicago, Ill.
-
George A. Williams, MD
- Royal Oak, Mich.
-
Gary Hirshfield, MD
- New York, N.Y.
-
Andrew Iwach, MD
- San Francisco, Calif.
-
Michael X. Repka, MD
- Baltimore, Md.
-
Ruth D. Williams, MD
- Wheaton, Ill.
-
James Salz, MD
- Los Angeles, Calif.
-
Ivan Schwab, MD
- Davis, Calif.
-
Richard G. Shugarman, MD
- West Palm Beach, Fla.
-
Aaron Weingeist, MD
- Seattle, Wash.




