Urgent & Emergency Eye Care

Eye emergencies can happen unexpectedly, and recognizing when to seek medical attention is essential to protecting your vision. At Coquitlam Centre Eye Care, our experienced optometrists provide assessments for urgent eye concerns, including sudden vision changes, eye discomfort, injuries, and other unexpected symptoms.

Conveniently located in Coquitlam Centre and open 7 days a week, our team is committed to helping patients receive timely eye care and appropriate referrals when specialized treatment is required.

call now: (604) 468-8600

What is Considered an Eye Emergency?

Not all eye problems develop gradually. Some symptoms can appear suddenly and may indicate an injury, infection, or underlying eye condition requiring prompt medical attention.

Eye emergencies can range from painful irritation and foreign objects in the eye to more serious concerns involving sudden vision changes or damage to the eye's internal structures.

Even symptoms that initially seem minor can sometimes be associated with conditions that require urgent treatment. Seeking appropriate care early can help identify the cause of the problem and reduce the risk of complications.

At Coquitlam Centre Eye Care, our optometrists assess urgent eye health concerns and determine whether treatment, additional testing, or referral to an ophthalmology specialist or emergency department is needed.

Eye Conditions That May Require Prompt Attention

When to Seek Urgent Eye Care

Certain eye symptoms should never be ignored. If you experience any of the following, seeking an appropriate medical assessment can help identify potential problems and protect your vision.

Sudden Vision Changes

Unexpected blurred vision, new blind spots, or a sudden reduction in vision may indicate a serious underlying condition and require immediate medical assessment.

Eye Pain & Redness

Persistent eye pain, significant redness, swelling, or sensitivity to light may be associated with infections, inflammation, or other eye conditions.

Eye Injuries & Trauma

Accidental injuries, scratches, or impacts to the eye should be assessed promptly, particularly when accompanied by pain or changes in vision.

Eye Infections

Discharge, irritation, redness, and swelling may indicate an eye infection. Contact lens wearers with painful red eyes require particularly prompt evaluation.

Foreign Objects in the Eye

Dust, debris, or other foreign materials can cause irritation or injury. Embedded objects or high-speed impacts require emergency medical care.

Flashes & New Floaters

A sudden increase in floaters, flashes of light, or a shadow across your vision can be a warning sign of a retinal tear or detachment and needs immediate assessment.

What Should You Do if You Experience an Eye Emergency?

When an unexpected eye problem occurs, taking the appropriate steps can help prevent additional injury and ensure you receive the right care.

Some situations require immediate emergency department treatment, while others may be assessed by an optometrist on an urgent basis.

1. Contact the Clinic for Urgent Eye Concerns

If you're experiencing a new eye problem that isn't an obvious medical emergency, call Coquitlam Centre Eye Care at (604) 468-8600. Our team can advise you about appointment availability and whether emergency medical services are more appropriate.

2. Avoid Rubbing or Pressing on Your Eye

Rubbing an irritated or injured eye can worsen certain conditions. Avoid attempting to remove objects that are embedded in the eye, and do not apply pressure to an injured eye.

3. Take Immediate Action for Chemical Exposure

If a chemical enters your eye, immediately begin flushing it with clean, lukewarm running water for at least 20 minutes. Remove contact lenses if they come out easily, and seek emergency medical attention without delaying irrigation.

4. Seek Emergency Medical Care When Necessary

Sudden vision loss, severe eye injuries, chemical burns, and other serious symptoms require immediate assessment at an emergency department. Do not delay emergency care while waiting for a clinic appointment.

How We Assess Urgent Eye Concerns

When you visit Coquitlam Centre Eye Care with an urgent eye concern, our doctors work to understand your symptoms, evaluate your eye health, and identify potential causes.

Depending on the nature of your symptoms, an assessment may involve examining the surface of the eye, evaluating your vision, checking eye pressure, or assessing structures inside the eye.

Our clinic offers comprehensive eye examinations and advanced diagnostic testing, including OCT imaging and visual field analysis. These technologies may be used when clinically appropriate to help investigate certain eye conditions.

Your Assessment May Include

Visual Acuity Assessment

Evaluating whether your vision has changed and determining the extent of any reduction in visual clarity.

Slit-Lamp Examination

A detailed examination of the front structures of the eye to investigate irritation, inflammation, injuries, or other abnormalities.

Eye Pressure Evaluation

Measuring intraocular pressure when appropriate, particularly if symptoms suggest a condition that may affect eye pressure.

Retinal and Internal Eye Examination

Examining the internal structures of the eye when indicated to investigate symptoms such as new floaters, flashes, or changes in vision.

Specialist Referral When Needed

If your condition requires additional treatment or specialized medical care, our doctors can coordinate appropriate referrals to ophthalmology specialists or direct you to emergency services.