Emergency Eye Care | Durham Vision Care

Accidents Happen—Let Us Help

Eye injuries or trauma to the eye area can be stressful and frightening. Your eyesight is precious, and anything that might put it at risk needs to be dealt with immediately.

Whether it's a knock from a stray ball during game time or a splash of cleaning supplies at home, knowing where to turn for emergency support is crucial for adults and kids alike.

When an accident occurs, call our office right away. We can assess your situation and recommend the next steps, whether that includes seeing an optometrist or going directly to the emergency room.

If our office is closed, you should proceed to your nearest hospital.

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Types of Eye Emergencies

Common eye emergencies we can manage include:

Corneal abrasions (scratches)
Foreign objects stuck in the eye
Chemical splashes or burns
Infections like conjunctivitis (pink eye)
Flashes and floaters or retinal detachment
Sudden-onset complications of eye diseases

Symptoms That Might Indicate an Eye Emergency

While most eye emergencies involve noticeable symptoms or trauma, other eye emergencies are not as obvious. Any sudden changes to your vision should be considered an eye care emergency.

Sudden onset of any of the following symptoms may also be indicative of an emergency:

Burning or stinging
Pupils that differ in size
Bulging eyes
Severe eye pain
Double vision
Redness or severe itching
Bruising or bleeding
Sudden headache
Discharge from the eye
Eyes not moving together
Flashes, floaters, shadows, or curtains in your vision

Call our office immediately should you experience any of these issues.

Eye Emergency Do’s and Don’ts

Eye emergencies can happen anywhere, whether you're at work, home, athletic events, or just hanging out. However, you can make a difference by acting quickly and appropriately. Following first aid steps and contacting emergency care right away can lead to a positive outcome.

If you or a loved one experience an eye emergency, here are some do’s and don’ts to guide you:

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Do’s

Do flush your eye with cold water in the event of chemical contact.
Do clean your hands before touching your eye.
Do lightly cover the eye without applying pressure.
Do seek immediate medical attention.

Don’ts

Don’t use tools anywhere near the eye area.
Don’t rub the eye or apply pressure of any kind.
Don’t try to remove any large foreign objects.
Don’t apply any medications, drops, or ointments.
Don’t remove contact lenses (except in the case of a chemical splash).

Visit Our Location

Visit Us

We’re located just off Thornton Road between Rossland Road West and Prestwick Drive. There’s plenty of free parking available, including accessible parking spots just out front.