Urgent Eye Care When You Need It

An eye emergency may pose a risk to your vision and requires immediate intervention. We’re here to help. However, if we are closed, please visit your nearest emergency room for care. We’ll be ready for any necessary follow-ups.

What Constitutes an Eye emergency?

If you’re experiencing any of these sudden symptoms, seek medical assistance immediately:

Loss of vision
Burning or stinging
Pupils that are not the same size
One eye is not moving like the other
One eye is sticking out or bulging
Eye pain
Decreased vision
Double vision
Redness and irritation
Light sensitivity
Bruising around the eye
Bleeding from the eye
Blood in the white part of the eye
Discharge from the eye
Severe itching
New or severe headaches

What Causes an Eye Emergency?

An eye emergency can be distressing and can be caused in any number of ways, including:

Receiving a serious impact to the face or head
Allergic reactions
Chemicals in the eye
Contact with sharp or rough objects (punctures and abrasions)
Foreign objects stuck inside the eye

Ocular First Aid in an Emergency

It’s important to see an eye care professional to ensure your vision is cared for properly. Still, there are steps you can take in an eye care emergency to mitigate harm.

Chemicals

Always use caution when using chemical products to avoid injury or burns. You are likely aware of chemicals in your workplace, but be sure to take care around cleaners, gardening products, and aerosols at home as well.

If chemicals come into contact with your eyes:

Wash hands with soap and water to ensure the chemical is no longer present
Rinse your eyes with clean, cool water for 15 minutes. Even if you feel relief before then, continue to flush the eyes
If wearing contacts, remove them
Seek medical attention

Foreign Objects

If a foreign object has made its way into your eye, do not rub your eye. Rubbing can cause more severe damage. Flush your eyes with water, and if that doesn’t remove the debris, seek medical attention.

Never attempt to remove a foreign object with tweezers or your fingers. This can exacerbate any damage.

Should the object in your eye be too large or won’t be flushed, do your best to restrict eye movement. Cover the eye with gauze, a clean cloth, or a paper cup until you can see one of our optometrists or an emergency room doctor.

Trauma

An injury, blow to the head or face, or other trauma can affect your vision and eye health. The eyes are filled with delicate blood vessels, so any blunt force to the area can cause significant damage.

If you suffer trauma to the eye, apply a cooling ice pack to the area. Be sure to use gentle pressure.

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