Urgent Vision, Urgent Care: Guiding You Through
Eye Emergencies

Unexpected eye emergencies can be unnerving, but staying informed on the necessary steps is crucial for you and your loved ones.

Firstly, maintain composure—keeping a level head not only helps you think clearly but also reassures those around you. Avoid attempting to assess the severity of an eye injury independently. Instead, promptly reach out to your eye doctor for specific guidance tailored to your situation. At City EyeCare, we comprehend ocular emergencies and stand ready to assist you whenever needed.

Contrary to common belief, not all eye emergencies require a trip to the emergency room.

Research indicates that a significant number of individuals seeking urgent eye care at emergency rooms could have received appropriate treatment from an optometrist.

However, trust your instincts. If you feel a visit to the nearest emergency room is warranted, do not hesitate to seek immediate attention. Your eye health is paramount, and prompt action ensures the best possible outcome.

  • Eye Infection

  • Foreign Object Stuck in the Eye

  • Eye Trauma

  • Scratch on the Eye

  • Sudden Loss of Vision in One or Both Eyes

  • Lost Contact Lens in the Eye

  • Shattered Eyeglass Lenses

  • Sudden Appearance of
    Light Flashes or Floaters

An eye emergency is anything that puts your eyes or vision at risk of permanent damage. The most common types of eye emergencies include:

What is an Eye Emergency?

If you think you have an eye infection like pink eye, it's important to see your eye doctor right away for a diagnosis and treatment. Eye infections usually don't need emergency care.

Eye infection: an emergency?

  • Sudden Loss of Vision

  • Sudden Double Vision

  • Sudden Eye Pain

  • New Onset of Light Flashes
    and/or Floaters

  • Foreign Body in the Eye

  • Chemicals in the Eye

  • Swelling or Pain After Eye Surgery

Symptoms That Require Emergency Eye Care:

When the Unexpected Strikes: Your Guide to Dealing with Eye Intrusions

A foreign body can be anything from an eyelash or a speck of sand to a metal shard, blade of grass or piece of wood. No matter what the object is, it’s critical to have it removed quickly to reduce your risk of serious injury or infection.

Keep in mind that the eyes are extremely delicate and if you don’t know how to safely remove the foreign body, you can end up with sight-threatening complications. It’s therefore always best to seek urgent eye care if you can’t flush out the foreign body with water or saline solution.

If you think a foreign body has penetrated your eye, or you notice any blood or discharge coming from your eye, contact us immediately.

What To Do If You Have an Eye Emergency?

Contact us for an emergency eye care appointment. If you’re unsure whether your symptoms constitute an emergency, call us anyway — delaying treatment can put you at risk of serious complications that can result in vision loss.

Before seeing your eye doctor or
seeking urgent care:

  • Don’t Press on or Rub an Injured Eye

  • Don’t Attempt to Remove a Foreign
    Body on your Own

  • Don’t Use Dry Cotton (including cotton swabs) or Sharp Instruments (such as tweezers) on the Eye

  • Don’t Attempt to Remove an
    Embedded Object