Medical Eye Care / Medical Eye Emergencies
Eye emergencies, much like all emergencies, happen when you least expect them. It is vital to know what to do when you need urgent care.
Don't Panic! staying calm will help you think straight. Do not try to judge the severity of your emergency, contact our office for instructions on what to do in your situation. Remember to tell us, your symptoms, when it started, which eye, and any pertinent information regarding the eye.

What is an Eye Emergency?

An Eye Emergency is anything that can put your vision and ocular health at risk.

Most Common Types of Eye Injury

  • Eye infection
  • Sudden/ new onset of flashes and/or floaters
  • Foreign object stuck in eye (small shards of glass or metal)
  • Eye trauma (eye or head struck with object)
  • Scratch to the surface of the eye
  • Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
  • Contact lens stuck in eye
  • Swelling of eyes
  • Sudden double vision
  • Sudden eye pain
  • Cuts or punctures of eye or eyelid
  • Chemical exposure causing pain or vision problems
Until you see your eye doctor or seek 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
The best way to protect yourself from eye emergencies is to educate yourself about the risks and act accordingly. Make sure to wear protective goggles in situations where your eyes are at risk.