Emergency Eye Care

Most doctors recommend that you get a routine eye exam once a year, but there are times when you may need emergency eye care. While Ideal EyeCare is not currently accepting emergency appointments, we want our patients to feel informed and confident about identifying signs that may require immediate attention.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a vision emergency or serious eye injury, please seek care immediately at the nearest urgent care center or emergency room.

Signs Someone Needs Urgent Eye Care

An eye emergency can include a variety of problems or conditions. If ignored, the problem may worsen and lead to serious as well as permanent damage to vision or the eyes.

You may need emergency eye care if you experience the following issues:

  • Something stuck in the eye
  • Sudden change or loss of vision
  • Double vision
  • Bloodshot or red eyes
  • Burning, stinging, or itchy eyes
  • Intense sensitivity to light
  • Bleeding or bruising around the eyes
  • Abnormal eye movement
  • Eye discharge

These symptoms could be a sign of anything from a common eye infection to serious damage to an eye structure. Because you can’t always tell how serious an issue is on your own, it’s best to have symptoms checked as soon as they begin.

What to Do in an Eye Emergency

Some eye problems can worsen over time or even spread to others. To help protect your eyes and those around you while you seek treatment, remember these precautions:

  • Do not try to remove something from your eye on your own.
  • Wash your hands in case you are contagious.
  • Do not drive yourself if your vision is impaired.
  • Avoid touching or rubbing your eye.

These precautions can reduce the risk of further irritation or damage.

Our Commitment to Your Eye Health

While we are not accepting emergency eye care visits at this time, we remain committed to your long-term vision and eye health. If you have questions about your symptoms or need follow-up care after an urgent visit elsewhere, we can recommend the next steps and provide ongoing management when appropriate.

For immediate or serious concerns, please go to the nearest urgent care or emergency room for evaluation.