If you experience an eye injury or sudden vision changes, it’s important to seek medical help as soon as possible. At SIGHT, we provide emergency eye care services at our offices in West Hartford and Farmington to help preserve your eyesight and relieve any discomfort.   

If you are experiencing an eye emergency, please contact our office immediately so we can help. While visiting the emergency room is an option, there are some cases where an optometrist is better equipped to handle the situation, including eye infections and foreign objects in the eye.    

When should you get urgent eye care?    

If something gets stuck in your eye, such as metal or wood shavings, we can safely remove the object while minimizing eye damage. Our office also treats eye infections like conjunctivitis (pink eye).      

The following symptoms require immediate medical attention: 

• Burning or stinging eyes  
• One eye isn’t moving like the other eye  
• Decreased vision or double vision  
• Increased sensitivity to light  
• Blood on the white part of the eye  
• Eye discharge  
• Severe itching sensation in the eye  
• New or severe headaches  

If you experience any of these symptoms, don’t hesitate to call us right away. Even if it doesn’t turn out to be a true emergency, seeking professional help as soon as possible will help prevent any potential complications from developing.  

Seek medical attention right away if you notice any signs of retinal detachment, such as an increase in eye floaters, flashes of light, or seeing a dark curtain on the side of your vision. 

Steps to take during an eye emergency   

When dealing with an eye emergency, follow these steps to avoid making it worse:    

• If you get chemicals in your eyes, flush your eyes with water for 10-15 minutes and don’t cover the affected eye.   
• If there is something in your eyes, avoid rubbing them to prevent further damage and reduce the spread of any germs, bacteria, or infections.   
• To prevent swelling around your eye after an injury, apply a cold compress. Gently apply the compress to your eyes to avoid irritation.    
• Avoid driving if you are experiencing an eye emergency or vision problems.   

After seeing an eye doctor for emergency eye care, make sure to follow their instructions closely and use any home remedies they suggest, such as eye drops or compresses. Treatment for eye emergencies will vary depending on the specific case, but most issues resolve quickly when properly treated by a qualified optometrist.  

Eye emergencies require quick treatment to avoid the risk of permanent damage or vision loss. If you are currently experiencing an eye emergency, please call us immediately for an emergency eye examination.