Responding to an Eye Emergency
Eye emergencies can happen suddenly, and even a minor injury or change in vision can put your eyesight at risk. It’s important to respond to any injury or change in vision seriously and seek medical attention.
At Aylmer Optometry, we provide same-day emergency appointments for urgent concerns such as infections, injuries, or sudden vision loss.
If you are experiencing an eye emergency during regular office hours, please call our clinic at 219-773-8505 to arrange prompt care. If your emergency occurs outside of our hours, proceed directly to the nearest emergency department.
When to Seek
Urgent Eye Care
You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:
- Severe eye pain
- Swelling around the eye
- Scratches or abrasions to the cornea
- Significant discharge or redness
- A foreign object in the eye
- Sudden loss of vision
- Sudden flashes of light or a shower of floaters
Receiving a professional evaluation and treatment are essential to preserve your vision and prevent further complications.
First Aid Steps for Common Eye Emergencies
An eye emergency can happen with little to no warning and appear with different symptoms. From accidents to sudden changes in vision, it’s important to know how to respond so you can treat the acute concern before you’re able to reach medical treatment.
If you or someone you know is experiencing one of the following eye emergencies, please use these first-aid strategies and seek medical attention.
Chemicals, including cleaning products and gardening solutions like herbicides, can cause severe problems if they come in contact with your eyes. To protect your eyes if contact occurs, follow these steps:
- Wash your hands thoroughly
- Turn your head so the affected eye is down and to the side
- Hold the eyelid open and flush the eye with clean water for at least 15 minutes, even if irritation reduces in less time
- Contact Aylmer Optometry immediately or go to the nearest emergency room
Small objects like dust or sand can irritate the eye. If you get something in your eye, follow these steps:
- Avoid rubbing the eye
- Blink repeatedly to try to remove the object
- Rinse the eye with artificial tears or cool water
- Seek care if the object cannot be removed or irritation persists
Large objects such as glass or metal can severely damage the eye. Do not attempt to remove them yourself. Seek emergency care immediately.
A corneal abrasion is a scratch on the surface of the eye. Avoid rubbing the eye, as this can worsen the injury. You can cover the eye lightly (do not apply pressure) while you seek treatment. Contact Aylmer Optometry or go to the nearest emergency room.
Injuries to the eyeball or eyelids require urgent attention. Protect the area with a loose bandage if needed, but do not apply pressure. Seek immediate care to prevent further damage.
Changes in your vision may be subtle or significant, such as a total loss of vision or a black spot or hole in your vision. In general, any noticeable change to your vision that occurs all of a sudden should be treated with caution, and you should seek immediate care. Some potential changes include:
- Vision loss: Sudden loss of vision could indicate a serious eye condition. Immediate evaluation is critical.
- Flashes or floaters: These can be caused by retinal issues or eye trauma. Seek urgent care if they appear suddenly or in combination with other symptoms.
- Blurry or warped vision: Could signal an eye disease or emergency condition such as retinal detachment or vascular events.
Eye redness with discharge may indicate an infection, such as conjunctivitis (pink eye), that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. As there are many causes for these symptoms, a proper diagnosis from a medical professional allows you to start an effective treatment in a timely manner.
Aylmer Optometry can provide appropriate medication or therapy to resolve the issue safely.
Aylmer Optometry Is Here for Eye Emergencies
Our team is experienced in diagnosing and treating a wide range of eye emergencies, from infections and injuries to sudden changes in vision. If you experience symptoms that concern you, contact Aylmer Optometry for a same-day emergency appointment during regular hours.
If the office is closed, please proceed to the nearest emergency department for immediate assistance.
Eye Care Services We Offer
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More About Our Services
Explore the different eye care services we have to offer at Aylmer Optometry.
Myopia Management
Myopia (nearsightedness) affects distance vision and can progress quickly during childhood.
Myopia control aims to slow myopia progression in kids and teens for fewer prescription changes and reduced risks to future eye health.
Eye Disease Management
We provide evaluations and management for various eye conditions, including glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic eye disease. Our goal is to protect your vision and support eye health through accurate diagnosis and personalized care.
Emergency Eye Care
When eye injuries and accidents happen, you need prompt care to preserve your vision and prevent complications. We offer urgent care for eye emergencies during business hours, helping relieve discomfort and protect your vision when it matters most.
Take a Look at Our Clinic
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Come Visit Us in Aylmer
Our clinic is located on Sydenham Street, between King and Queen Streets and just one block from Talbot Street. There is street parking available outside the clinic.
Our Address
- 119 Sydenham St E
- Aylmer, ON N5H 1L4
Contact Information
- Phone: 519-773-8505
- Email: info@aylmeroptometry.com
Our Hours
*Closed for lunch between 12:45–2:00 PM. Please note that our doctors do not typically see patients on Fridays.
