Emergency Eye Care

Accidents Happen

Eye emergencies can happen to anyone at any time, especially in high-risk situations like sports, outdoor activities, work, and hobbies.

If you are experiencing an eye emergency, please get in touch with us right away. If this is an after-hours emergency, please visit your nearest emergency clinic.

Emergency Eye Care

What is an Emergency?

Eye emergencies can be obvious, or you may be left wondering if you should seek medical help.

Common signs of an eye emergency include:

  • Discharge or crustiness in the corner of your eyes
  • Sudden itching, stinging, or burning eyes
  • Feeling like there’s something in your eye
  • Eye redness
  • Eye pain
  • Bruising or swelling around your eye or eyelids
  • Total or partial loss of vision in one or both eyes
  • Double vision
  • New or severe headaches
  • Pupils of differing sizes
  • Light sensitivity


​​​​​​​Please seek emergency assistance from Specialty Eye or your emergency clinic if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. Swift action can save your sight.

Types of Emergencies & Responses

Eye emergencies come in many different forms. Knowing what to do in the event of an emergency can help preserve your sight. No matter the emergency, you should always have your eyes checked by your eye doctor.

Scratches & Abrasions

If you scratch your eye or abrade your cornea, keep your eye closed to keep your eyelid from rubbing against it. Contact your optometrist or visit your nearest emergency clinic for further treatment.

Foreign Objects

If something is stuck in your eye or under your eyelid, do not attempt to remove it. Pulling the object out of your eye could cause further damage. Instead, cover your eye with a vaulted covering, like a paper cup, to keep debris out and seek out immediate medical attention from your eye doctor or nearest emergency clinic.

Blunt Trauma

Being hit in the eye or orbit (area around the eye) can cause serious problems. If you are hit by something in or around your eye you should have your eyes examined immediately. The impact can have serious consequences that you might not even know about, and the best way to ensure your eye health and vision are protected is with a trip to your optometrist.

Chemical Splashes

Liquid and aerosol chemicals can get into your eyes in many situations. Household cleaners and industrial products can cause damage to your eye health and vision. Begin by flushing your eye with clean cool water, then get in touch with your optometrist as soon as possible.

Sudden Vision Loss

If you have a sudden decrease or complete loss of vision in one or both eyes you should contact your eye doctor or visit your nearest emergency clinic quickly. Retinal detachments or angle-closure glaucoma can rapidly impair your vision, potentially causing irreparable vision loss.​​​​​​​

We’re Here When You Need U

Specialty Eye is here for your eye emergencies. Our expert optometrists are able to diagnose and treat emergencies swiftly to help alleviate your pain and eye health concerns. Get in touch with us right away if you are experiencing an eye emergency.