When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention

If you’re experiencing an eye emergency, please contact our team immediately. If your emergency is happening outside of our regular office hours, please visit your nearest emergency room.

Swift action could preserve your vision.

Signs of an Eye Emergency

Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:

Eye pain
Sudden foreign body sensation
Sudden onset of flashes, floaters, or spots in your vision
Sudden loss of vision
Swelling in or around your eye
A scratch on the eye or a blow to the eye
Significant discharge from your eye
Chemical exposure in or around your eye

What to Do in an Eye Care Emergency

All eye care emergencies require immediate attention, and we recommend that you call us as soon as possible. Here are some steps you can take to minimize damage to your eyes in emergency situations while we triage your case over the phone.

Foreign Object in Your Eye

Do not attempt to remove embedded objects. Trying to do this on your own without the proper tools could cause further damage. Instead, contact us or proceed to your nearest emergency room.

If there is something between your eye and eyelid, avoid rubbing your eye, as this may lead to more damage.

Corneal Abrasion

Corneal abrasions are scratches on the cornea, the clear dome that makes up the front part of your eye. They are usually very painful. If you experience a corneal abrasion, try to keep your eye closed and call our team immediately. Our doctors can prescribe an antibiotic ointment or apply a bandage contact lens that can make your eye feel better while it heals.

Outside of office hours, we recommend visiting an emergency room.

Chemical Spray

If you get chemicals in your eye, you should flush your eye immediately with cool, clean water for at least 15 minutes. Afterwards, proceed immediately to our office or, if outside office hours, an emergency room.