Should You Go to the Emergency Room?
No, you should not go to the Emergency Room this weekend for an eye infection when you have at-home treatment available, even with your history of severe sleep apnea, aspiration pneumonia, and POTS—none of these conditions create an acute emergency requiring immediate ER evaluation in the absence of active respiratory distress, acute cardiac symptoms, or signs of severe systemic infection.
Why Your Conditions Don't Require Emergency Evaluation Now
Sleep Apnea Considerations
- Severe sleep apnea alone is not an emergency indication unless you are experiencing acute respiratory failure, severe oxygen desaturation, or recent hospitalization for respiratory complications 1
- Guidelines reserve immediate intensive care evaluation for patients with acute decompensation, not chronic stable disease 1
- High-risk patients requiring urgent intervention are those with recent motor vehicle crashes due to sleepiness, acute cardiopulmonary complications, or documented severe oxygen desaturation requiring immediate PAP therapy 1
- Your chronic sleep apnea, even if severe, does not constitute a weekend emergency unless you're having acute breathing difficulties right now 1
POTS Does Not Create Emergency Situations
- POTS is a chronic condition characterized by orthostatic tachycardia and symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, and presyncope—not acute life-threatening events 2, 3
- The condition is managed with lifestyle modifications (increased fluids, salt intake, compression stockings) and medications on an outpatient basis 2, 4
- No guideline or evidence suggests POTS requires emergency evaluation unless you're experiencing syncope with injury risk or severe dehydration 3, 4
Aspiration Pneumonia History
- Past history of aspiration pneumonia is a risk factor, not an active emergency 1
- You would need current signs of acute pneumonia (fever >4 days, new focal chest signs, dyspnea, tachypnea) to warrant urgent evaluation 1
- Simply having a history of aspiration doesn't mean every infection requires ER assessment 1
When Your Eye Infection Would Require Emergency Care
Go to the ER only if you develop:
- Vision loss or significant vision changes
- Severe eye pain uncontrolled by over-the-counter medications
- Eye swelling extending to surrounding facial structures (orbital cellulitis)
- Fever with systemic symptoms suggesting sepsis
- Inability to open the eye due to swelling
- Pupillary abnormalities or eye movement problems
What You Should Do Instead
Immediate Actions
- Continue your at-home eye infection treatment as prescribed or as appropriate for the type of infection
- Monitor for warning signs listed above that would change the decision
- Maintain your usual sleep apnea management (CPAP/BiPAP if prescribed) 1
- Follow POTS management strategies: increase fluid and salt intake, wear compression stockings, avoid prolonged standing 2, 3
Follow-Up Planning
- Schedule urgent care or ophthalmology appointment for Monday if the eye infection isn't improving with home treatment
- Ensure your sleep apnea is optimally managed with documented PAP adherence (≥4 hours/day on ≥70% of nights if using PAP) 1
- Contact your primary care physician Monday to discuss whether your chronic conditions need optimization
Critical Caveat
This recommendation assumes you are currently stable without acute respiratory distress, chest pain, severe desaturation, altered mental status, or signs of systemic infection. If any of these develop, immediate ER evaluation is warranted regardless of the day of the week 1.