Identifying an Eye Care Emergency
If you think you’re experiencing an eye care emergency, please call us right away. If it is after office hours, please visit your nearest emergency room.
Not all eye care emergencies are the result of an obvious accident. Some emergencies, like retinal detachment, can seemingly happen for no reason at all.
Certain eye care emergencies require immediate attention to prevent vision loss. Knowing what an emergency is and how to treat it could help prevent permanent damage in the future. Never hesitate to contact us or head to an emergency department if you have concerns about vision symptoms.
Request AppointmentCommon Eye Care Emergencies
Causes of eye care emergencies can include:
- Blunt trauma
- Chemical sprays or aerosols
- Liquid or heat burns
- Foreign objects in the eye
- Cuts & scratches
- Severe eye infections
Seek emergency care immediately if you experience:
- A sudden onset or worsening of flashes or floaters
- Intense headaches
- A dark curtain or veil in your vision
- Sudden blurred vision in one or both eyes
When to See a Doctor for An Eye Emergency
Your eye health is vulnerable to many injuries that could affect your vision. Continue reading to find out when you should seek help from an eye doctor or emergency medical professional.
Request AppointmentIf you get something in your eye that causes a visible scratch, it’s time to seek emergency eye care. Cuts on your eye or eyelid can cause damage to your vision.
If you are bleeding, do not apply any pressure, as this can damage your eye. You may apply a cold compress to help alleviate any swelling. If blood is pooling in the eye, you can apply a clean cloth over the area while you are seeking emergency assistance. Do not wipe at the area, as this can cause more damage.
Foreign objects and corneal abrasions are uncomfortable and can even cause irreparable damage to your eye. If you think you have something in your eye, or if you can visibly see debris in your eye, begin by rinsing your eye under lukewarm water to try to flush out the object.
It’s important not to rub your eye, which may cause the object to scratch your cornea, affecting your vision permanently. If the issue persists and flushing your eye doesn’t dislodge the object, seek help from a medical professional who can remove it for you.
Getting hit in the head or face is painful enough, but did you know that even if you weren’t hit in the eye, it could still cause eye health problems?
Some trauma can cause broken bones around the eye, iris injuries, retinal tears, and retinal detachment.
Household cleaners and products do contain harmful chemicals that can cause burns or injuries to your eyes. If you get chemicals in your eye, begin by seeking medical attention right away, and start flushing the chemical out of your eyes as soon as possible using lukewarm water or a saline solution.
Contact Us: We Can Help
Eye care emergencies aren’t always caused by something obvious. Sometimes, they happen inside your eye without you knowing until something seems wrong.
If you think you’re going through an eye care emergency, contact us immediately. Getting help as soon as possible can help prevent any lasting damage.
Request AppointmentVisit Our Location
You can find us right on the corner of Frank St and James St, just beside the Strathroy Library.
Our Address
- 22 Frank St
- Strathroy, ON N7G 3X3
Contact Us
- Phone: 519-245-2000
- Email: [email protected]
Hours of Operation
- Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: By appointment only
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
All office visits are by appointment only.