Our eyes are very sensitive, so even a seemingly insignificant impact or scratch could put your vision and eye health in jeopardy.

If you, or someone you know, is currently experiencing an eye emergency, please contact either our Leamington Location at (519) 326-6194 or our Essex Location at (519) 776-8211 for a same-day emergency appointment or proceed to the nearest emergency room.

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Symptoms That Require Immediate Medical Attention

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention:

  • Eye pain
  • A foreign object in your eye
  • Swelling in or around your eye
  • Sudden vision loss
  • Sudden onset of flashes or floaters
  • A scratch on your eye’s surface (corneal abrasion)
  • Significant ocular discharge

You should also seek immediate medical attention if you get any chemicals in or around your eyes.

First Aid Strategies for Common Eye Emergencies

If you, or someone you know, is currently experiencing any of the following common eye emergencies, please use the first aid strategies listed below and then seek medical attention.

Corneal Abrasion

Your cornea is the thin, transparent membrane that covers your iris and pupil. Even a small impact or a light scratch can cause serious damage and leave your eye vulnerable to infection.

Corneal abrasions are incredibly painful. If you suspect that you’re currently experiencing a corneal abrasion, don’t rub your eye. Rubbing your eye can move remaining debris around, causing further damage. Instead, contact either our Leamington Location at (519) 326-6194 or our Essex Location at (519) 776-8211, or proceed to the nearest emergency room.

    • If there’s something embedded in your eye: Don’t attempt to remove it on your own and don’t rub your eye. Rubbing your eye or trying to remove the object could cause further damage.
    • If there’s something loose trapped between your eye and your eyelid: Don’t rub your eye or try and remove the object using your fingers or a pair of tweezers, since this may result in further damage. You may be able to remove the object by flushing your eye with cool, clean water. Even if you manage to remove the foreign body on your own, you should still seek medical attention.

Seek immediate medical attention by contacting either our Leamington Location at (519) 326-6194 or our Essex Location at (519) 776-8211, or proceeding to the nearest emergency room.

Many common chemicals can cause significant damage to your eyes, potentially compromising your vision. If you get any chemicals in your eye, you should flush your eye immediately using cool, clean water. Flush your eye continuously for at least 15 minutes, even if it feels better before the full 15 minutes has elapsed.

Flushing your eye is important because it dilutes the chemical and removes it from your eye and the surrounding area. Once you have finished flushing your eye for the full 15 minutes, you should seek medical attention by contacting either our Leamington Location at (519) 326-6194 or our Essex Location at (519) 776-8211 or proceeding to the nearest emergency room.