Sudden vision loss — a new, acute loss of vision — urgent ophthalmology/provider notification (a potential retinal or vascular emergency).

Acute angle-closure glaucoma — severe eye pain, headache, halos around lights, nausea/vomiting, a fixed mid-dilated pupil — emergency evaluation/transfer.

Post-operative endophthalmitis — increasing pain, redness, discharge, and decreasing vision after eye surgery — urgent ophthalmology (sight-threatening).

Chemical or penetrating eye injury — irrigate a chemical exposure immediately per protocol and escalate.