Emergency Eye Care

It is important to see an emergency eye doctor right away if you are experiencing acute eye issues. Emergency eye problems can range from mild to severe and escalate quickly. Neglecting to seek out emergency eye care may lead to serious or potentially long-term damage to your eyes. 

While some eye emergencies require an immediate trip to the emergency room, many urgent eye care problems are best handled by an expert optometrist. Our skilled eye doctors in Arlington and Memphis can safely remove foreign objects from the eye and manage eye allergies, which are common reasons people visit the emergency room for eye care. 

When to seek urgent eye care

Eye emergencies can have a range of symptoms, including a sudden change in vision, loss of vision, blurry vision, or irregular eye movements. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact our office right away.

Acute eye issues may also cause eye discharge, red or bloodshot eyes, extreme sensitivity to light, burning or stinging eyes, or itchy eyes. Seek care promptly if any of these symptoms appear suddenly.

Common eye emergencies we treat

We can accommodate many eye emergencies, including the following:  

• Eye infections, such as pink eye 

• Eye allergies  

• A foreign body or material in the eye  

• Scratched eye  

• Dislodged contact lens 

• Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes 

• A sudden increase in the number of eye floaters 

• Flashes of light in your vision 

• Red or painful eyes 

• Uncomfortable, irritated, or itchy eyes 

These issues can be caused by eye infections, retinal damage, or a foreign object in the eye. Since some problems can be contagious or worsen over time, it’s important to seek care immediately.

What to do in an eye emergency

• Wash your hands to help avoid spreading infection. 

• Do not try to remove something stuck in your eye.  

• If you get chemicals in your eye, flush your eyes with water for 15 minutes and don’t cover the affected eye.

• If you have sustained a blow to the eye, use a cold compress to prevent swelling.

• Do not drive or operate machinery if your vision is impaired. 

Emergency eye care services at Primary Eye Care

At Primary Eye Care of Arlington and South Main, we will provide you with the best treatment for your urgent eye health needs to help ensure a safe and speedy recovery.  

During an emergency eye exam, our eye doctor will thoroughly evaluate the problem and its potential causes. Depending on the situation, we may use specialized tests to achieve an accurate diagnosis.

Once your doctor has a better idea of the issue at hand, we will create a treatment plan. This plan may include eye drops or other therapies to support healing. With proper care, many eye conditions improve quickly, and your doctor will provide guidance to help you recover safely and effectively.

If you suspect you need emergency eye care, do not wait. Call our office today to get the help you need from our qualified optometrists