Emergency Care

When Your Eyes Can’t Wait

Eye injuries and sudden changes in vision can be frightening, and getting the right care quickly matters. We can handle most urgent eye emergencies and are here to help determine the appropriate next step.

If you are experiencing an eye emergency, call our regular office number to reach our emergency line.

When Should You Seek Emergency Eye Care?

Contact our office promptly if you experience:

• Sudden or significant vision loss
• An eye injury or trauma
• Cuts or scratches involving the eye
• A foreign object in the eye
• Chemical exposure or burns
• Significant eye pain
• A painful, red eye
• New or severe sensitivity to light
• Bleeding or unusual discharge
• New double vision
• Unequal pupil sizes
• Significant swelling or bruising around the eye
• An eye that appears to be bulging or moving differently than the other
• Nausea or a severe headache accompanied by eye pain
• Vision changes following exposure to the sun, lasers, welding equipment, or another intense light source

If you’re unsure whether your symptoms require urgent attention, call us. Our team can help determine what you should do next.

Eye Injuries & Trauma

Even an injury that seems minor can potentially affect structures inside the eye. Blunt trauma from a fall, accident, sports injury, or object striking the eye may cause bruising, swelling, bleeding, or changes in vision.

Avoid rubbing or putting pressure on an injured eye. Do not attempt to remove an object that is embedded in the eye or use tweezers or other tools near the eye.

Call our office immediately for guidance and evaluation.

Chemical Exposure

Household cleaners, workplace chemicals, solvents, garden products, fumes, and aerosols can all cause eye injuries.

If a chemical gets into your eye, immediately flush the eye with plenty of clean water or saline. Chemical injuries require prompt attention, so contact our office after beginning to rinse the eye.

Bright Light & Solar Eye Injuries

Looking directly at the sun, viewing a solar eclipse without proper protection, or exposure to intense sources such as lasers or welding arcs can damage the retina.

Symptoms may not always be immediately obvious. If you notice changes in your vision following intense light exposure, contact our office for an evaluation.

What NOT to Do After an Eye Injury

Until you receive medical guidance:

• Do not rub or apply pressure to the eye.
• Do not attempt to remove an embedded foreign object.
• Do not put tweezers or other tools into the eye.
• Do not use medications or ointments unless instructed to do so.
• Do not delay seeking care if you experience significant pain or changes in vision.

If you wear contact lenses, ask for guidance before attempting to remove them following an injury. With chemical exposure, begin flushing the eye immediately.

Help Prevent Eye Injuries

Many eye injuries can be prevented with a few simple precautions. Wear appropriate protective eyewear when working with power tools, chemicals, or participating in activities with a risk of eye injury. Follow safety instructions when using household or workplace chemicals, keep sharp objects away from young children, and avoid amateur fireworks.

Experiencing an Eye Emergency?

Don’t wait to see if it gets better on its own.

We can evaluate and treat most urgent eye emergencies and help you determine the appropriate care for your situation.

Call our office number to access our emergency line.

Office Number