Your sight is one of your most precious possessions; don’t put it at risk. Our eyes are incredibly delicate, and even a seemingly minor injury or problem could put your vision at risk.

If you or someone you know is currently experiencing an eye emergency, please contact Central Optometry at 519-432-1875 for a same day emergency appointment or, if our office is closed, please proceed to the nearest emergency room.

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Seek Immediate Medical Attention

You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:

  • Eye pain
  • Swelling in or around your eye
  • Sudden vision loss
  • Sudden onset of flashes or floaters
  • A foreign object in your eye
  • A scratch on the surface of your eye (corneal abrasion)
  • Significant ocular discharge

If you get any chemicals in or around your eye, you should seek immediate medical attention, even if your eye feels fine.

First Aid for Common Eye Emergencies

Some eye emergencies occur more frequently than others. If you or someone you know is currently experiencing one of the following eye emergencies, please use these first aid strategies and then seek medical attention.

Foreign Object in Your Eye

If something is embedded in your eye: Don’t rub your eye or try to remove the object on your own. This could cause even more damage. Instead, contact Central Optometry right away or proceed to the nearest emergency room.

If something is trapped between your eye and your eyelid: Avoid rubbing your eye, as this could cause even more damage. You may be able to dislodge the object by flushing your eye with clear, cool water. Don’t attempt to remove the object with your fingers or a pair of tweezers. Even if you can dislodge the object by flushing your eye, you should still seek immediate medical attention.

The cornea is the thin, transparent layer that covers your iris and pupil. The cornea is extremely delicate, and even a slight scratch or light impact can cause severe damage and leave your eye vulnerable to infection.

Corneal abrasions are extremely painful. If you suspect you have a corneal abrasion don’t rub your eye. Rubbing your eye could move debris around, causing more damage. Contact Central Optometry right away or proceed to the nearest emergency room.

Chemicals can cause severe and permanent damage to your eyes and compromise your vision. If you get chemicals in your eye, you should flush your eye with cool, clear water for at least 15 minutes. Even if your eye begins to feel better before the full 15 minutes has elapsed, you should continue to flush your eye.

Rinsing your eye dilutes the chemicals and removes them from your eye and the surrounding area.

Once you have finished flushing your eye for the full 15 minutes, you should contact Central Optometry or proceed to the nearest emergency room.

If you are currently experiencing an eye emergency, please contact Central Optometry at 519-432-1875 immediately or proceed to the nearest emergency room.

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