Holiday Eye Emergencies: When to Call an Optometrist in Calgary

Holiday Eye Emergencies: When to Call an Optometrist in Calgary

The holiday season should be full of warmth and celebration, not eye pain, sudden vision changes, or the panic of not knowing where to turn. At Blink Eyewear, our emergency eye care service ensures that unexpected issues like infections, injuries, or visual disturbances don’t ruin your holidays. Whether you’re dealing with eye redness, flashes and floaters, or something more serious, it’s important to know when to seek immediate attention. If you experience sudden symptoms, don’t wait for your family doctor or the ER, contact us at Blink Eyewear in Calgary. We provide timely, expert care to help you recover quickly and protect your long-term vision. 

Don’t Let Eye Emergencies Ruin Your Holidays 


Between the dry winter air, festive décor, kitchen accidents, and extra screen time, your eyes take a beating during the holidays. Unfortunately, some eye problems can’t wait for regular clinic hours or a post-holiday appointment. Sudden pain, blurry vision, or signs of infection could indicate something serious—and the sooner it’s addressed, the better the outcome. 

At Blink Eyewear, our Emergency Eye Care service is here for those urgent situations. We offer support at all three Calgary locations to help you navigate the unexpected with clarity and confidence. Understanding what constitutes an emergency and when to call an optometrist could save your sight. 

What Qualifies as an Eye Emergency? 


Not every irritation is an urgent eye emergency, but here are signs you shouldn’t ignore: 

  • Sudden vision loss (partial or full) 
  • Flashes or floaters that appear suddenly 
  • Severe eye pain or pressure 
  • Eye trauma or chemical exposure 
  • Redness with discharge, swelling, or crusting 
  • Foreign objects stuck in the eye 
  • Double vision or sudden blurriness 

Even if the symptoms seem to resolve, it’s critical to get them checked—some serious eye conditions progress quietly. 

Common Holiday Triggers for Eye Emergencies


During the winter season, you may be more at risk of eye emergencies. Common causes and triggers include:

  • Dry indoor heat and outdoor cold can lead to irritation or corneal damage 
  • Fireplace smoke or cooking fumes can lead to conjunctivitis 
  • Holiday crafts and décor may lead to scratched corneas 
  • Champagne corks, toys, or kitchen mishaps can cause blunt trauma 
  • Increased screen time can bring on digital eye strain or worsen existing issues 

If you’re unsure whether it’s serious, err on the side of caution and call us. 

Why Visit an Optometrist Instead of the ER? 


Emergency rooms may not have the specialized equipment or training to diagnose eye-specific concerns. Optometrists have the tools and knowledge to assess your eye thoroughly, often with shorter wait times and more precise treatment. 

At Blink Eyewear, we use advanced technology to identify and treat eye emergencies effectively. From retinal imaging to in-office treatments for corneal abrasions or infections, we can provide immediate answers and relief. 

Don’t Wait—Get Help for Eye Emergencies Right Away 


If you’re experiencing eye pain, vision changes, or other symptoms that feel urgent, don’t wait it out. Our team at Blink Eyewear is here to help, contact us immediately or visit one of our Calgary locations in Crowfoot, West Springs, or Creekside. Eye emergencies are time-sensitive, and fast care can protect your long-term vision. 

FAQs

An eye emergency is any sudden change in vision or eye comfort that could threaten your eyesight if not treated right away. Symptoms such as sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, eye injuries, or chemical exposure should always be taken seriously. Visual disturbances like flashing lights, new floaters, blurred vision, or the appearance of a dark curtain across your vision may signal conditions such as retinal detachment or internal bleeding in the eye.

Redness paired with pain, swelling, light sensitivity, or discharge can also point to serious infections that require urgent care. Ignoring these warning signs can result in permanent vision damage. If you are experincing any of these symptoms, contact Blink Eyewear today to book an emergency eye exam.  

Eye infections, injuries, sudden vision changes, or discomfort should never be ignored, as delaying care can increase the risk of lasting damage, and can be a sign to visit your eye doctor for an emergency appointment. Ocular emergencies can happen at any time, and it can be difficult to judge their severity without professional guidance. Rather than guessing, it is always best to seek prompt assessment from an eye doctor.

Our clinic uses modern diagnostic equipment to examine both the front surface of the eye and digitally scan internal eye structures for signs of infection, inflammation, or damage. Early evaluation allows for faster treatment and helps protect your long-term vision health and overall eye comfort.

Some optometry clinics, including Blink Eyewear, offer flexible emergency appointment availability to help patients access care quickly when eye problems arise. This may include same-day bookings, extended hours, and limited holiday availability.

For your convenience, we recommend calling ahead to confirm availability. In the case of an emergency, such as if you are experiencing pain, redness, sudden vision changes, flashes, floaters, or an eye injury, contacting a clinic promptly supports faster assessment and timely treatment. Always call ahead so the team can guide you and help protect your vision.

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Blink Eyewear boasts the largest collection of eyewear in Calgary, but our 3 locations are also home to the region’s finest optometrists. Just as you will not find a better store to shop for your eyewear, you will not find a better vision clinic to do your eye exam or treat your eye condition. 

Go ahead and Blink; what you see is really what you get. Call one of our store numbers or fill out the form below to book an appointment.

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