Emergency Retina Care in Arizona

At Retinal Consultants of Arizona, our retina specialists diagnose and treat urgent retinal conditions, including retinal tears and retinal detachment, which can lead to permanent vision loss if left untreated.

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Call Immediately If You Notice These Symptoms

  1. Sudden onset of floaters
    New spots, specks, strings, or dark shadows drifting across your vision.
  2. Spider webs or cobwebs in your vision
    Floaters that look like webs, threads, or a burst of pepper-like dots.
  3. Flashes of light
    Sudden flashes, flickers, or lightning-like streaks, especially in side vision.
  4. A curtain or a shadow over your vision
    A dark area, veil, or curtain moving across part of your field of vision.
  5. Sudden blurry vision or vision loss
    Any rapid change in vision, especially if it affects one eye.
  6. Eye pain with vision changes
    Pain, pressure, redness, or discomfort along with new vision symptoms.

These symptoms may be linked to a retinal tear, retinal detachment, vitreous changes, intraocular bleeding, or another urgent eye condition. Retinal detachment symptoms can include sudden floaters, flashes, and a curtain or shadow over vision, and it is considered an urgent condition that requires prompt evaluation.

Older patient receiving retina emergency care during an eye exam with an ophthalmologist.

What Happens During an Emergency Retina Exam?

1

Share Your Symptoms

Your visit will begin with a conversation about what you are experiencing.

2

Your Vision Is Checked

Your vision & eye pressure will be tested to help the retina specialist understand how your sight has been affected.

3

Your Pupils Are Dilated

Eye drops are typically used to dilate your pupils. This allows the retina specialist to get a clearer view of the back of your eye.

4

Additional Imaging May Be Performed

Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may recommend retinal imaging, optical coherence tomography, ultrasound, or other testing.

5

Your Doctor Reviews the Findings

After the exam and testing, your retina specialist will explain what was found and what it means for your vision.

6

A Treatment Plan Is Recommended

Some conditions may require close monitoring, while others may need urgent treatment, such as laser treatment, an injection, or surgery. The goal is to act quickly and protect as much vision as possible.

“As always, the staff was friendly and efficient. Dr. Itty is the best! He’s very knowledgeable and takes the time to explain his procedures to make the patient feel comfortable and respected. I called the triage nurse later in the day, and she got back to me within half an hour and answered all my questions. This office is top-notch.”

Mary C.

Google

Dr. Itty and staff are phenomenal start to finish! I have never felt anxious during any of my visits. Everyone is kind and professional. Highly recommend!

Barb H.

Google

Do Not Wait for Symptoms to Go Away

If you notice sudden floaters, flashes, spider webs, a curtain over your vision, eye pain, or sudden vision loss, do not wait to see if it improves. Retina emergencies can progress quickly, and early care may help protect your sight. Call Retinal Consultants of Arizona right away for urgent retina care. If you are experiencing severe eye trauma, sudden complete vision loss, or symptoms outside normal office hours, go to the nearest emergency room.

Call (602) 222-2221

FAQ: Emergency Retina Care

Call right away if you notice sudden floaters, flashes of light, spider webs or cobwebs in your vision, a dark curtain or shadow, sudden blurry vision, sudden vision loss, or eye pain with vision changes. These symptoms may be linked to a retinal tear, retinal detachment, bleeding inside the eye, or another urgent retina condition.

Not always, but a sudden increase in floaters should be evaluated quickly, especially if they appear with flashes of light, blurred vision, or a curtain-like shadow. New floaters can sometimes be a sign of changes in the vitreous or a retinal tear.

Your visit usually begins with a discussion about your symptoms. Your vision and eye pressure may be checked, and your pupils are typically dilated so the retina specialist can examine the back of the eye. Additional imaging, such as retinal photography, OCT, or ultrasound, may be used depending on your symptoms.

Yes, dilation is commonly part of an emergency retina exam because it gives the doctor a clearer view of the retina, macula, optic nerve, and blood vessels. Your vision may be blurry and light-sensitive afterward, so it may be helpful to bring someone who can drive you home.

Emergency retina care can help detect retinal tears, retinal detachment, vitreous changes, intraocular bleeding, retinal swelling, and other urgent eye conditions that may affect vision.

It depends on the diagnosis. Some conditions may require monitoring, while others may need urgent treatment such as laser treatment, an eye injection, or surgery. Your retina specialist will explain the findings and recommend the next step.

No. Sudden vision changes should not be ignored. Retina emergencies can progress quickly, and early evaluation may help protect your vision.

If you experience severe eye trauma, sudden complete vision loss, or urgent symptoms outside normal office hours, go to the nearest emergency room. For urgent retina concerns during office hours, call Retinal Consultants of Arizona at (602) 222-2221.