Acute eye symptoms? Please call us first – we will tell you where to come.0208 826870What to do in an eye emergency
Augencentrum Mülheim
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Augencentrum Mülheim
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Eye emergency

Acute eye symptoms – what to do now

This overview helps with an initial assessment. It does not replace a medical opinion – when in doubt, please call us.

0208 826870 – say “Augennotfall”Life-threatening: 112

Come to us without an appointment

For urgent eye emergencies you can come to one of our practices without an appointment between 07:30 and 08:00 on the respective opening days. If you cannot reach us by telephone and you have an acute emergency, please go directly to the nearest eye clinic or ophthalmological emergency service.

In case of serious or life-threatening symptoms – for example after an accident, or with additional paralysis or speech disturbance – please call the emergency number 112 immediately.

Seek ophthalmological assessment immediately

With these signs, time matters – do not wait:

  • Sudden, marked loss of vision
  • A shadow, “curtain” or loss of part of your field of vision
  • New flashes of light, many new black dots or a “shower of soot”
  • Severe eye injury or a high-speed foreign body (e.g. while drilling or grinding)
  • Chemical burn from acid, alkali, cleaning agents or adhesive
  • A severely painful red eye, particularly with nausea, vomiting or deteriorating vision
  • After eye surgery: increasing pain, marked redness or deteriorating vision

During consulting hours: Call us immediately and explicitly say “Augennotfall” – you will be seen first.

Outside consulting hours: Go without delay to the nearest eye clinic or ophthalmological emergency department. The German patient service 116 117 will help you find the right care.

112 in a life-threatening situation, with additional neurological signs (e.g. paralysis, speech disturbance) or if you cannot travel safely.

First aid for chemical burns

  1. Rinse immediately – with plenty of clear water, for several minutes. Every second counts.
  2. While doing so, carefully hold the eyelids open, even if it is difficult.
  3. Rinse from the inner corner of the eye outwards so that nothing runs into the other eye.
  4. Do not rub and do not attempt to “neutralise” with other substances.
  5. Afterwards, have your eye examined by an ophthalmologist without delay – even if it feels better.

Urgent – contact us the same day

Please call us promptly; we will assess the urgency together with you:

  • New, marked redness on one side with pain or sensitivity to light
  • A persistent foreign body sensation
  • Newly occurring double vision
  • Sudden deterioration of vision without complete loss of vision

A regular appointment is enough

Here you can book online or by telephone at your leisure:

  • Slowly increasing deterioration of vision
  • Known dry eyes without new warning signs
  • Preventive check-ups and monitoring appointments
  • Examinations for glasses or a driving licence

Sources: German Association of Ophthalmologists (BVA) “Erste Hilfe für das Auge”, DOG/AWMF S1 guideline “Akute Verätzung am Auge”, German patient service 116117. Editorial team: Augencentrum Mülheim · Last updated 07/2026.