How To Handle An Eye Care Emergency

The eye is a very delicate organ. Even a seemingly minor injury can lead to serious complications if not treated immediately. In this article, you will learn about the different emergency eye problems that require medical attention from an emergency eye doctor.

If you are concerned about vision problems or eye pain, it is important to go to an emergency eye clinic as soon as possible. Your eyesight is invaluable and that’s why it is vital to see an emergency eye doctor anytime you think something might be wrong.

Blink Eyewear has offices, across NW and SW Calgary. For emergency eye care in Calgary, visit one of our centres in Crowfoot, Creekside, and West Springs. 

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Know When To Seek Medical Attention From An Emergency Eye Doctor 

Take your eyesight seriously and visit an emergency eye doctor in Calgary if you ever experience any of the following serious vision problems:

  • Sudden/noticeable loss of vision
  • Chemical burns
  • Foreign body in the eye (especially metal or chemicals)
  • Pink Eye
  • Sudden double vision
  • Sudden red/painful eye
  • New or worsening swelling or pain after eye surgery
  • New onset flashes and/or floaters

Delays in seeking treatment could result in vision loss or other serious complications. 

When To Seek Urgent Eye Care 

Don’t let your vision problems go untreated. If you suffer from any of the following serious vision problems or injury to your eye, promptly seek the attention of an emergency eye doctor.

 The apparent loss of vision or noticeable changes to eyesight

Sudden loss of vision or any noticeable change to your vision requires immediate medical help. Changes in sight include:

  • floaters
  • dark spots in your field of view
  • flashes of light 
  • blurred vision 
  • double vision
  • dimmed sight 
  • wavy vision


Your emergency eye doctor can determine if your symptoms can be easily treated with prescription, over-the-counter medications, or if you require further assessment or treatment by an eye specialist.


Chemicals or foreign bodies landing on your eyes

Chemical splash injuries occur when irritants like hand sanitizer or hot sauce fall into the eye. Foreign bodies could be anything that enters the eye and abrades the cornea like dirt, sand, or other debris. When chemical irritants or debris enter the eye and are left untreated, it could lead to complications or even serious vision loss. If rapid blinking does not seem to rid your eye of the irritation, you should seek immediate emergency eye care. 

Eye trauma causing bruising, bleeding, or cuts 

700 Canadian workers a day sustain on-the-job eye injuries (CNIB). 

Blunt trauma, penetrating objects, chemical burns, and impacts, can all cause injury to the eye. This could result in bruising, bleeding, discharge, swelling, and pain.

The eye is sensitive and sponge-like, so it does not endure trauma well. Eye injuries can be frightening. If you experience any sort of trauma directly to your eyes visit an emergency eye clinic immediately. 

Healthy eyes are important, so if you notice any changes in your vision see an emergency eye doctor ASAP.

Our eyes are the window to the world and one of the most vulnerable organs of our body. The eyes are a crucial communication link between you and your community. If something foreign enters your eye, the results can be permanently damaging to your eyesight, or visual system. Once you perceive these serious symptoms, contact an emergency eye doctor or visit your nearest Calgary emergency eye clinic. Visiting an urgent eye clinic promptly after an accident can maximize the chances of recovery and reduce the effects or chances of further complications. 

If you or your loved one is experiencing loss of vision, double vision, swelling, bleeding, bruising, infection, pink eye, or the feeling of a foreign substance in your eyes call Blink Eyewear first at 403-516-2292. Or visit our nearest emergency eye clinic at any of our Calgary locations: 

West Springs: 1009 873 85 St SW, Calgary, AB T3H 0J5
(Located between Fergus & Bix and Starbucks.)

Creekside: 12192 Symons Valley Rd NW #4, Calgary, AB T3P 0A3 
(Located inside the Creekside Clinic near Shoppers Drug Mart.)

Crowfoot: 67 Crowfoot Terrace NW, Calgary, AB T3G 4J8
(Located close to the movie theatres and a few doors down from Crave Cupcakes.)

FAQs

Q: What is the difference between urgent eye care and emergency eye care?
A: Urgent eye care: Often found in convenient, walk-in centres, Urgent Care staff may be able to see you without an appointment or schedule you in on the short notice. Urgent care centres treat minor injuries that require short-term medical assistance. If you are experiencing swelling of your eyes or persistent irritation then an urgent eye care centre would be the right choice. 

Emergency eye care: focuses on treating patients with consequential medical emergencies that require priority attention to prevent serious impairment. The difference is in the severity of the injury; emergency care centres treat life-threatening injuries or those that have irreversible repercussions. If you have sudden loss of vision, bleeding, or burning on your eyes, an emergency eye clinic is the right choice.

Q: How can an eye doctor help? 
A: Eye doctors can try to carefully remove foreign bodies stuck in your eyes, do a proper eye flushing / cleaning, or escalate your medical case to a specialist if they identify more problematic symptoms. Visit the Blink Eyewear Emergency Treatment page to learn more about Emergency Eye Care Services in Calgary. 

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Blink Eyewear boasts the largest collection of eyewear in Calgary, but our 4 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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