Emergency Eye Care
Eye Emergencies require immediate care. See below for eye emergencies and how to handle them.
You can visit or call our Listowel location at 519-291-1220 during regular business hours for prompt diagnosis & treatment. After hours, please visit your nearest hospital.
What is considered an
Eye Emergency
Simply put, any situation where your eyesight is at immediate risk is considered an eye emergency. Our eyes are not designed to experience pain; when they do, prompt eye care is essential. Keep in mind that the eyes are our most vulnerable and exposed organ—it's crucial to prioritize their health!
Examples of Eye Emergencies:
- Getting a foreign object or caustic chemical (ex. cleaning product), in the eye
- Chemically burning the eye (with said cleaning product)
- Getting something sharp lodged in the eye (such as a piece of glass)
- Serious physical damage to the eye (trauma from a blow or impact)
- Severe eye pain that has developed over the last few hours
- Sudden sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Sudden vision loss, flashing lights or curtain-like shadow over your vision
EYE EMERGENCIES REQUIRE IMMEDIATE CARE
Visit or call us in Listowel for prompt emergency eye care. If this is not an emergency, contact our Hanover location to book an exam.
Who To See
Should you see an Optometrist or Doctor?
In many instances, our practice provides significantly shorter wait times for emergency eye care than walk-in clinics or hospitals. However, please note that we are not equipped to perform surgeries. We recommend that all patients contact us before arriving to confirm that your condition is suitable for our treatment – we will guide you to the appropriate care if necessary.
Our Listowel optometry office is equipped with the most advanced diagnostic equipment available today. While we don’t perform surgery, we can offer almost every eye-related service necessary to identify the cause of your emergency and deliver the appropriate emergency eye care treatment.
What to Do
What to do in an eye emergency.
If you believe that you require immediate assistance, please call us at 519-291-1220 during regular business hours. After hours, please visit your nearest hospital.
How to rinse your eye (eyewash):
- If a foreign object or chemical enters your eye, perform an eye wash immediately. If you have an eyewash station or bottle, follow the instructions exactly. If not, rinse your eye at home with cool, clean water or sterile contact lens solution. Never use dirty water or any other fluids for your eye.
- Tilt your head back to look at the ceiling and gently rinse your eye. Keep your eye open as necessary, and carefully pour water over it. Remember to blink occasionally, unless it causes discomfort.
- Continue this process for a minimum of 10 minutes. Afterward, seek medical attention (either from us or a medical professional) as soon as possible.
Prevention
Prevent eye injuries with preventative eyewear.
Preventing eye emergencies starts with proper protection. A simple pair of safety glasses can prevent the vast majority of emergencies. Shatter-resistant safety eyewear will guard against most debris, sparks, and other hazards, keeping your eyes safe from potential harm.
Please be aware that eyeglasses and sunglasses do not serve as adequate substitutes for safety eyewear, as their lenses do not comply with the required shatter resistance standards. If your glasses experience an impact, like being struck by a rock propelled by a lawn mower, there is a high likelihood that the lens will shatter, resulting in further injury. Always choose the right protective eyewear to safeguard your eyes from preventable accidents, whether at home or work.
Where Our Focus is On You
Eye Care Services
For non-emergency situations, we offer a range of other essential services at Saugeen Vision Centre to meet your eye care needs. From comprehensive eye exams for all ages to contact lens fittings, specialized eye care, and vision therapy & training, we're here to support you at every stage of life.
Specialized Eye Care
Diagnosis and treatment for eye conditions and diseases, such as digital eye strain and dry eye.
