Eye Injury from Phone Accident: Symptoms and When to Seek Help

Q: Eye Injury from Phone Accident: Symptoms and When to Seek Help

Hello： Based on your description, you experienced pain in the corner of your left eye, floaters, and flashes after your phone hit your eye, along with elevated intraocular pressure. <br>Since the physician indicated there were no issues during your first visit, you can feel somew

The phone accidentally hit my left eye?

A month and a half ago, while lying down and using my phone, I accidentally dropped it, causing the phone to hit my left eye.
The distance was about 15 centimeters, and since I didn't have any vision problems at the time, I didn't seek medical attention.
There were just some blood vessels in the corner of my left eye.
After that, I experienced intermittent pain in the corner of my left eye, feeling like there was pressure inside, which would relieve itself after a few minutes.
I already have floaters (it looks like I'm viewing through a microscope) and occasionally see white flashes (lasting a few seconds and in random directions).
However, in the past two weeks, I noticed that the left eye symptoms seemed to worsen.
A week ago, I visited an ophthalmology clinic for a basic examination and indirect fundoscopy.
The doctor said there were no issues and that it was just typical floaters, but both eyes had slightly elevated intraocular pressure (22 and 23).
I recall that my pressure was about the same before the injury, and my corneal thickness was around 610 and 620 micrometers, which might be normal for me.
The doctor prescribed eye drops for protection, but the pain in my left eye persists, and I frequently see flashes, which frightens me.
I feel anxious every day and would like to know how long I should wait before seeking medical attention again if my condition does not improve.
Additionally, I discovered yesterday that when I turn off the lights to dilate my pupils, my left pupil is larger.
When the lights are on and my pupils constrict, they are about the same size.
Is this normal? I’m not sure if it has always been this way or if it’s due to the injury, and I’m worried about any potential effects.
I'm only 18 years old and don’t want to go blind.

Niming, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2024/04/05

Dr. Gao Pilin reply Ophthalmology

Hello: Based on your description, you experienced pain in the corner of your left eye, floaters, and flashes after your phone hit your eye, along with elevated intraocular pressure.
Since the physician indicated there were no issues during your first visit, you can feel somewhat reassured.
However, it is advisable to seek medical attention again under the following circumstances: * If the pain in your left eye worsens, or if the floaters and flashes intensify.
* If you experience a decrease in vision or blurriness.
* If you notice any visual field defects or dark spots in your vision.
Additionally, you mentioned that the pupil of your left eye is larger in the dark and similar in size to the right eye's pupil when the lights are on.
This may be due to damage to the pupillary sphincter muscle from the impact, preventing it from constricting properly.
It is recommended that you have an ophthalmologist examine this issue during your next visit.

Reply Date: 2024/04/05

More Info

In your situation, it is crucial to take your symptoms seriously, especially after experiencing an eye injury from a phone. The symptoms you describe—persistent pain, flashes of light, and the sensation of pressure in your left eye—are concerning and warrant further evaluation.
Firstly, it's important to understand that eye injuries can lead to various complications, even if they seem minor at first. The fact that you experienced a direct impact to your eye, even from a distance of 15 centimeters, can potentially cause damage to the eye structures, including the cornea, retina, or even the optic nerve. The presence of blood vessels in the eye (as indicated by the bloodshot appearance) suggests that there was some trauma, and the ongoing pain and visual disturbances you are experiencing could be signs of a more serious condition.

You mentioned that you have a history of floaters and occasional flashes of light, which can be benign in many cases. However, the increase in frequency and intensity of these symptoms following your injury is concerning. Flashes of light, particularly, can indicate retinal issues, such as a tear or detachment, which can lead to vision loss if not treated promptly.
Regarding your question about when to seek further medical attention, you should definitely return to an eye care professional if you experience any of the following:
1. Increased Pain: If the pain in your left eye worsens or becomes constant.

2. Changes in Vision: Any new blurriness, loss of vision, or dark spots in your field of vision.

3. Increased Frequency of Flashes or Floaters: If you notice more frequent flashes of light or a sudden increase in floaters.

4. Pupil Size Discrepancy: The observation that your left pupil is larger in low light and equalizes in bright light could indicate a problem with the muscles controlling the pupil or nerve damage. This is not typical and should be evaluated by a specialist.

In terms of your eye pressure readings (22 and 23 mmHg), while these are slightly elevated, they are not alarmingly high. However, if you have a family history of glaucoma or other risk factors, monitoring your eye pressure regularly is essential.

The use of eye drops prescribed by your doctor is a good step, but if your symptoms persist or worsen, do not hesitate to seek a second opinion or further testing, such as a comprehensive eye exam or imaging studies like an OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) or even an ultrasound of the eye to rule out any serious conditions.

In summary, while your initial examination did not reveal any immediate concerns, the persistence of your symptoms, particularly the pain and visual disturbances, necessitates further evaluation. Eye health is critical, and being proactive about any changes or concerns is the best approach to prevent potential complications. Always prioritize your vision and seek help when in doubt.

Similar Q&A

Eye Injury from Sports: When to Seek Medical Attention

I was poked in the eye while playing ball. At first, my vision was a bit blurry, but it improved after resting for a while. However, there are blood vessels in the sclera, and I feel a foreign body sensation when I blink. What should I do? Do I need to see an ophthalmologist? Tha...

Dr. Gao Pilin reply Ophthalmology
Hello Alan: Regardless of the type of injury to your eyes, it is essential to have an examination by an ophthalmologist. Following the doctor's instructions for follow-up examinations can help prevent potential complications. The ophthalmology department at Puzi Hospital in ...

Should You Seek Medical Attention After Finger Accidentally Hits Eye?

If your fingernail accidentally poked your upper rectus muscle while showering and you experienced a slight soreness after the incident, it is important to monitor the situation. Since you were not able to see the injury directly, observe for the following signs: 1. Pain: No...

Dr. Gao Pilin reply Ophthalmology
Hello: If you only lightly touched your eye and there is no severe pain or obvious vision problems, it is usually not necessary to seek immediate medical attention. You can monitor the situation for a few days and pay attention to the following points: 1. Whether there is any red...

Eye Injury: Essential Care Tips and When to Seek Immediate Help

Hello doctor, I was riding my bike around 9 PM and lost control of the throttle, crashing into a red brick wall. I felt a bit dizzy at the moment, but it went away shortly after. Upon checking, I found a small scratch on the white part of my eye. Doctor, I plan to see an ophthalm...

Dr. Cai Wenyuan reply Ophthalmology
Hello, please be extra cautious while riding. When you seek medical attention, the doctor should inform you based on your injuries. Wishing you safety and health. Sincerely, Dr. Cai Wenyuan, Director of the Ophthalmology Department, Taoyuan Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfar...

Understanding Eye Trauma: Symptoms, Recovery, and Concerns

Hello, Doctor. Three days ago, while I was trimming my nails, I accidentally mishandled the nail clipper, and it bounced off and hit my eyeball (right eye). I can't describe the force, but it struck the pupil area near my nose. My eyeball twitched a few times, and for a mome...

Dr. He Jianxian reply Ophthalmology
If there are issues with the retina or optic nerve, the eyeball itself will not have any specific sensations. Overall, it seems that your eyes should not have experienced significant problems due to this incident.