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Understanding eye emergencies

What to do right now.

Most eye emergencies are easier to handle correctly in the first 10 minutes than at any point after. Quick reference below — but call us first if something doesn't feel right.

! ACT FIRST · CALL SECOND Minutes matter
Triage at a glance ER NOW chemical · cut · vision loss CALL US flashes · trauma · stuck object HOME CARE minor irritation · red spot When in doubt — call us first
What's happening

Act first, then call us.

Your eye is resilient, but it's also vulnerable to certain injuries where minutes matter — especially chemical splashes and penetrating injuries. For most other issues, quick action at home plus a call to us handles it.

If any injury causes severe pain, vision loss, or involves a chemical or sharp object — skip the home steps and head to the emergency room or call 911.

What helps

Here's the plan —
and why it works.

Chemical splash

Rinse 15+ min, then call

Any chemical (cleaner, bleach, garden spray, battery acid, cement): immediate flushing is the #1 factor in saving vision. Then emergency evaluation.

Severe pain or vision loss

ER now

If you can't see, or if pain is severe and getting worse, or if there's an object stuck in the eye — go to the ER or call 911. Don't wait.

Blunt trauma

Cold compress + call

Hit in the eye with a ball, fist, or object. Cold compress for swelling. Call us to be seen within 24 hours. Watch for vision changes or increasing pain.

Flashes / new floaters

Call same-day

Potential retinal emergency. Being seen within hours to a day is the difference between repair and permanent damage.

Go directly to the ER for

Penetrating injury (something embedded or stuck in the eye), chemical splashes (after you start rinsing), major vision loss, severe unrelenting pain, or obvious globe rupture. Our office is not equipped for these — the ER is.

Common questions

Honest answers to common questions.

Chemical splash in my eye — what do I do?+

Rinse immediately with clean water or saline for at least 15-20 minutes. Don't stop to call first — start rinsing. Hold your eye open under a gentle tap or shower. Then call us or go to the ER. Bring the container of whatever splashed in, if safe.

Something is stuck in my eye.+

Don't rub. Don't try to remove it with fingers or tweezers — you can make it worse. Blink repeatedly and let your tears flush it. If that doesn't work, rinse with clean water or saline. If still stuck, cover the eye lightly (no pressure) and come in or go to the ER.

I got poked or hit in the eye.+

If there's no obvious blood, cut, or severe pain: apply a cold compress (not ice directly) for 15 minutes. Take acetaminophen (not ibuprofen — it thins blood) for pain. Call us to be seen within 24 hours. If there IS bleeding, vision loss, severe pain, or something embedded, go to the ER.

My eye suddenly got very red with no obvious cause.+

A sudden bright red patch with no pain and no vision change is usually a subconjunctival hemorrhage — a broken blood vessel. It looks scary but heals in 1-2 weeks on its own. If it comes with pain, vision change, or happens after injury, call us.

I'm seeing flashes of light or a big increase in floaters.+

This can be a sign of retinal tear or detachment — an urgent situation. Call us right away (or the on-call number if after hours). Getting seen within 24 hours dramatically improves outcomes.

My eye is swollen shut from something.+

If it's from an insect bite or allergy: antihistamine + cold compress, call us if it doesn't improve in a few hours. If it's from trauma or comes with fever, severe pain, or vision changes: ER.

I lost a contact lens in my eye.+

The lens can't get 'behind' the eye — anatomically impossible. It's folded somewhere under the lid. Look up, down, and to each side while holding the lid open. If you can't find it, it probably fell out. If you feel something, use rewetting drops and blink, or come see us.

My child got eye makeup/soap/shampoo in their eye.+

Rinse with clean lukewarm water for 5-10 minutes. Comfort them. Most children's reactions settle quickly. If they're still crying hard after rinsing, vision seems off, or the eye looks unusual — call us.