Emergency Eyecare

At NSAEC, we know that emergencies don’t follow a schedule, and don’t always happen during business hours. We want to make sure that you get the care that you need as soon as you need it because we don’t ever want anything to go wrong with your eyes. However, we also know that it’s not always easy to tell what counts as an emergency. Seek our help immediately if you experience any of the following:

Sudden vision loss. Whether it’s complete or partial vision loss, you need to consult an eye care professional immediately.

Hits, scratches, or lacerations to the eye. Such trauma can lead to permanent problems if not addressed right away by a professional optometrist. Eyes are sensitive, and it doesn’t take much to cause damage to them. If you think it’s minor at first, but the pain won’t go away, seek help.

Foreign objects. Most of the time, the eye can safely remove any existing irritation such as dust or an eyelash. However, more abrasive objects, such as glass or metal, require the care of a professional who can safely and quickly remove them before they cause too much damage.

Infections. Not all infections are considered an emergency. However, infections to the cornea (the front clear cover of the eye), which are accompanied by quickly-worsening pain and light sensitivity, require immediate attention.

Chemical exposure. The exposure of any chemical to the eye requires immediate attention in order to determine and limit any damage caused.

Flashes and/or floaters. In small, extremely sporadic doses, flashes and floaters are harmless. However, if you’re experiencing a large number of flashes or floaters – especially following trauma to the eye – you need to seek immediate help from an optometrist to take care of any potential retinal detachment/tear.

Bulging/swelling of the eye. If your eye looks/feels swollen, seek help from our eye care professional immediately.

Other possible indications of an eye emergency: double vision, eyelids stuck together, sudden and persistent blurring of vision, halos (colored circles around lights), discharge, excessive crusting or tearing, suddenly crossed eye or eyes, contact stuck to the eye.

Call our Office at Any Time in Case of Emergency
If you’re experiencing one or more of the conditions outlined above, you need to see an eye expert immediately. ERs have long wait times, and may not have an optometrist on hand. At North shore Advanced Eye Care, we’ll make sure that any eye emergencies are taken care of as soon as possible. Call 631-642-2020