Although many acute eye problems While many eye problems are harmless, there are a number of symptoms that indicate a genuine ophthalmic emergency. With these symptoms, every minute counts in preventing permanent vision loss. In the following cases, do not hesitate for a second; go immediately to the emergency room at the nearest eye clinic or contact emergency medical services.
Symptoms requiring immediate medical attention include:
In addition to true emergencies, there are a number of acute eye problems, which, while not immediately life-threatening or vision-threatening, still require prompt evaluation by an ophthalmologist to determine the cause and prevent the condition from becoming chronic.
In these cases, please schedule an appointment at our office as soon as possible:
If you are using acute eye problems When you visit our practice in Frankfurt, our top priority is to provide a quick and accurate diagnosis. We take the time to listen to you and carefully analyze your symptoms before conducting a thorough examination. Thanks to state-of-the-art technology, we can perform many tests efficiently and gently to reach a diagnosis quickly. With our wide-angle retinal camera, we can often examine the back of the eye in detail without needing to dilate the pupil, so you’re usually able to drive again right after the exam.
The following table is intended to serve as a practical guide to help you better assess the urgency of your symptoms. If you’re unsure, calling our office is always the best course of action.
Symptom | Possible cause (examples) | Recommendation for Action |
|---|---|---|
Flash of light & „soot rain“ | Retinal tear, vitreous detachment | Immediate introduction at our eye clinic. If we are closed, you will be seen immediately at an eye clinic. |
Shadow / „Curtain“ | Retinal detachment | Immediate introduction at our eye clinic. If we are closed, you will be seen immediately at an eye clinic. |
Severe pain & redness | Acute glaucoma, severe inflammation | Immediate introduction at our eye clinic. If we are closed, you will be seen immediately at an eye clinic. |
Distorted vision | Wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) | Same-day appointment at our office (within 1–3 days) |
Red, watery eye | Conjunctivitis, foreign body | Same-day appointment at our practice |
Foreign body sensation | Dry Eye, Corneal Erosion | Same-day appointment at our practice |
The following overview is intended to serve as a practical guide to help you better assess the urgency of your eye symptoms. If you're unsure, giving our office a call is always the best thing to do.
Certain acute symptoms may indicate emergencies that could potentially threaten vision, requiring immediate medical treatment require.
Flashes of light and „soot rain“: These symptoms may indicate a Retinal tear or indicate a vitreous detachment.
Shadows or the sensation of a „curtain“: This is a strong warning sign of a Retinal detachment.
Severe pain and pronounced redness: Can be used on a acute glaucoma (glaucoma) or severe inflammation.
▶️ Recommended action: Search for these symptoms immediately our eye clinic. If we are closed, please go to immediately to the emergency room at an eye clinic.
If you experience these symptoms, you should see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible, but in most cases, you do not need to go to the emergency room right away:
Distorted vision: This symptom may indicate a wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) ... It is important to note that a prompt diagnosis is crucial for the success of treatment.
Red, watery eye: Often caused by a Conjunctivitis or a superficial foreign bodies.
Foreign body sensation: Can a reference to a dry eye or a Corneal Erosion be.
▶️ Recommended action: If you have these symptoms, please schedule an appointment as soon as possible, ideally within 1–3 days, for a short notice at our practice.
A true emergency is always present when there is an immediate risk of severe, permanent vision loss. These include acute eye problems These include, in particular, symptoms of retinal detachment (shadows, a curtain-like effect), sudden, painless vision loss (vascular occlusion), or severe eye pain accompanied by vision loss (acute glaucoma). If you experience these symptoms, you should immediately go to the nearest eye clinic or emergency room.
Every day, our practice sets aside specific time slots for acute eye problems Free of charge. Please call us and describe your symptoms as accurately as possible. Our trained team will assess the urgency of your situation and do their best to schedule an appointment for you as soon as possible—often on the same day—to evaluate your acute eye problems to offer.
First, try gently rinsing the eye with clean water or eye drops. Do not rub your eye under any circumstances, as this can damage the cornea. If the sensation of a foreign body persists, it is acute eye problems, which require a medical examination to ensure that the foreign object is removed professionally and safely.
While a simple case of conjunctivitis is unpleasant, it is usually not an emergency. However, if the redness is accompanied by severe pain, sensitivity to light, or blurred vision, you should make an appointment to have your acute eye problems Make an appointment to rule out a more serious cause, such as inflammation inside the eye (uveitis), and to receive the proper treatment.
The sudden, frequent appearance of black spots or strands ("floaters") may be a harmless sign of a change in the vitreous humor. If these acute eye problems However, if these symptoms are accompanied by flashes of light, a retinal tear must be ruled out immediately. In this case, a prompt examination is essential to determine the cause.
Pain behind the eye can have many causes that are not always directly related to the eye itself (e.g., sinusitis, migraine). However, if the pain is accompanied by vision problems or redness, you should have your acute eye problems Have it checked by a doctor. In rare cases, this may indicate inflammation of the optic nerve.
Sudden swelling of the eyelid can have various causes:
Inflammation: For example, a Barley grain (hordeolum) or a Hailstone (Chalazion).
Allergic reactions: To cosmetics, pollen, food, or insect bites.
Infections: Such as conjunctivitis or eyelid inflammation.
Injuries: Bruises or bumps.
When Should You See a Doctor? If the swelling is severe, painful, spreading rapidly, accompanied by a fever or blurred vision, or lasts longer than 1–2 days, it is advisable to see an ophthalmologist.
Acute: The beginning is suddenly and usually intense. The duration is briefly, typically lasting only a few days to a few weeks (often defined as less than 3 months). Acute pain serves a clear warning and protective function. (Examples: sprain, renal colic, appendicitis).
Subacute: A condition that falls between acute and chronic, often lasting 4 to 12 weeks.
Chronic: The symptoms develop gradually and persist longer than 3 to 6 months . They have often lost their original warning function and can become a disease in their own right. (e.g., chronic back pain, osteoarthritis).
Please bring all available medical findings, medical reports, and test results (e.g., OCT scans, visual field tests). This enables the fastest possible and most informed assessment.
Check-ups, laser medicine, interdisciplinary ophthalmology
Retina, macular therapy, laser medicine, prevention & more
Address for the GPS:
Grüneburgweg 95 (corner of Liebigstraße), 60323 Frankfurt am Main.
Parking recommendations:
We recommend the following parking garages in the immediate vicinity:
Palmengarten parking garage: (Entrance via Siesmayerstraße). From there, it's about a 5-7 minute walk to the practice.
Campus Westend parking garage: (Entrance via Theodor-W.-Adorno-Anlage). Perfectly located for reaching the practice on foot in just a few minutes.
By bus (line 75):
Use the Bus route 75 and get off at the stop Eppsteiner Straße From there, it's only about a 2-3 minute walk (approx. 200 meters) along Grüneburgweg to the practice at the corner of Liebigstraße. Alternatively, you can use the bus stop. University Campus Westend to use.
By subway (U6 / U7):
Drive to the station Westend. Take the exit towards Feuerbachstraße/Liebigstraße. If you follow Liebigstraße straight ahead to the north, you will walk directly towards Villa Westend on Grüneburgweg (approx. 7-minute walk).
Alternative via the Palm Garden:
From the subway station Westend or the bus stop Palmengartenstrasse You can reach us after a short, pleasant walk past the Palm Garden.
