Emergency Eye Care

• You were hit in the face, eye area, or head
• You were sprayed by chemicals, like household or industrial cleaners, paints, etc.
• An object has gone into your eye, whether or not it is visible
• You have been burned by liquids, steam, or heat
• You have a visible cut or scratch on your eyelid or eyeball
• You have a worsening eye infection
• You are experiencing flashing lights, floating spots, or a “curtain” coming down

• You suddenly see flashes or floaters in your vision
• You have intense headaches
• A dark curtain or veil is coming over your vision
• Your vision suddenly goes blurry in one or both of your eyes
• You believe you have a foreign body or chemical in your eye
• You are experiencing intense eye pain
• You have a red eye and are a contact lens wearer

• Cuts & scratches — Do not wipe your eye as this can cause further damage. You may apply a cool compress to reduce swelling. Seek medical attention.
• Chemical spray — Flush your eye with lukewarm water, and then seek medical attention.
• Foreign object — Do not rub your eye. Flush your eye with lukewarm water to try to dislodge the object. If this doesn’t work, seek medical attention.
• Blunt trauma — If you experience a sudden change in your vision, seek medical attention right away. You should have your eyes checked by a professional following any blunt trauma.

Eye care emergencies can be a result of an obvious injury or from an eye disease. If you have an existing eye health condition, speak to your optometrist about the signs and symptoms you should be aware of if it worsens.