Emergency Optometry & Trauma Response

If you are experiencing a medical emergency and require immediate help, please dial 9-1-1

If you or someone you are with is experiencing rapid vision loss or has undergone eye trauma, call our office immediately. We place a priority on patients with emergency eye care needs. Calling ahead will help us prepare for your arrival.

Eye Emergency Warning Signs

The following symptoms could indicate an eye emergency:

Warped vision
Tunnel vision
Sudden vision loss
Severe eye pain
A sudden onset of floaters
A sudden onset of flashes
Sudden, unrelenting blurring of your vision
Visual disturbances
Corneal abrasion
Chemical contact
A foreign object in your eye
Significant discharge from your eye

Procedures for Eye Emergencies

Please follow the guidelines below if you or someone near you has experienced any of the eye emergencies listed.

Chemical Contact

Exposure to chemicals, even those not listed as dangerous, can do damage to your eyes. If this occurs, use the nearest source of cool, clean water to flush your eye for at least 15 minutes.

Even if your eyes begin to feel better after only a few minutes, it is imperative that you continue to flush for the entire 15 minutes. Be sure that all residual traces of the chemical have been washed away. Any chemical traces that remain could cause damage later.

Corneal Abrasion

Your cornea is the front surface of your eye, the clear dome that covers your iris and pupil. Like other areas of your eye, it is incredibly delicate and can be easily damaged. A scratch or impact can make your eye vulnerable to infection.

If you experience a corneal abrasion, do not rub your eye. This may make the situation worse by moving the debris around and causing more damage. Instead, gently rinse your eye with clean, cool water to remove any debris and seek professional medical attention immediately.

Foreign Object

If there is an object embedded in your eye, do not rub your eye or attempt to remove the object. This may cause further damage. Please, proceed to the nearest hospital immediately.

If there is a loose particle trapped between your eyelid and your eye, or resting on the surface, avoid rubbing your eye. Instead, you can attempt to dislodge the object by flushing your eye with clean, cool water. Once you dislodge the object, seek medical attention.

Do not try to remove the object using your fingers or a pair of tweezers, as this may cause further damage. If you cannot remove the object by flushing your eye, seek medical attention immediately.

Red Eyes

While there are many different causes for red or bloodshot eyes, it can be important to distinguish between these sudden symptoms and what is usually referred to as “pink eye”—inflammation as a result of allergic, bacterial, or viral cause.

Red eyes can be caused by purely environmental factors or appear as an side effect of a pre-existing eye condition. These can range from something as simple as dust or smoke to more complex afflictions like corneal ulcers.

Sudden Flashes & Floaters

If you are consistently experiencing vague specks drifting across your field of vision, and they are accompanied by sudden flashes of light, you should contact a medical professional as soon as possible.

These symptoms could indicate vitreous detachment, a condition that could lead to retinal detachment. If you are unsure whether your eye floaters are a warning sign, please contact us for an emergency eye care assessment.