Here For You In An Emergency
We’re here to handle your eye emergency, from pink eye or a scratched eye to any sudden vision abnormalities. You don’t need to be an existing patient to see us for an emergency.
We’ll provide you care as soon as possible, typically the same day you contact us. A small fee may apply for some emergencies.
Many eye care emergencies require immediate treatment. If we’re not open when your emergency happens, please call 911 or go to an emergency department.
Here For Your Health
Emergencies such as foreign objects in the eye, infections, and sudden flashes or floaters are among the most common emergency appointments we see.
Optometrists are licensed to diagnose and treat most emergencies, other than those requiring surgery or the intervention of a specialist. If your emergency requires a specialist, we’ll arrange an immediate referral.
Common Eye Care Emergencies
Having a basic knowledge of common eye emergencies can help you and your family feel safer when something unexpected happens.
Prevention can go a long way to protecting you against a serious eye injury. Be sure to wear safety eyewear in the workplace and at home when you’re doing home improvement projects or chores.
Corneal Abrasion (Scratch)
A corneal abrasion is a scratch on the cornea, or outer surface of the front of the eye. This scratch can be caused by dust, sand, wood shavings, plant material, or other fine particles. It could also result from a finger or other object in the eye, or even a contact lens.
Seek help to ensure your scratch doesn’t become infected. You can rinse the eye and blink to try to dislodge any remaining particles in the short term.
Foreign Object In Eye
If the foreign object is a small particle, flush the eye and try blinking to dislodge the remaining bits. If possible, remove a contact lens, as the foreign particle could stick to it.
Seek emergency help immediately if anything is lodged in your eye, and do not attempt to remove it. In the meantime, do not rub the eye.
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Conjunctivitis can be an eye infection caused by either bacteria or a virus, or it can be a reaction to allergens or chemicals.
Bacterial conjunctivitis can often be treated with antibiotics. In contrast, viral conjunctivitis may just need to run its course, though we may be able to prescribe a helpful eye drop to help relieve your symptoms.
Allergic conjunctivitis can often be addressed with antihistamines. Minor chemical conjunctivitis may be treated by flushing the eye with clean water, such as a reaction to the chlorinated pool water. More serious chemicals will require medical intervention.
Floaters & Flashes of Light
You may occasionally see floaters or spots in your vision that look like little squiggles or specks of dust. If they suddenly increase in size or number, they could be a result of retinal detachment, which requires attention as soon as possible.
Flashes of light are small stars or lightning that will appear to come from within your eye. They may occasionally happen as a normal part of changes in your eye, but if they increase suddenly, seek emergency attention immediately.
Come See Us
Abbotsford Location
- 1215 Sumas Way, Unit 200
- Abbotsford, BC V2S 8H2
- Phone: 604.859.9225
- Fax: 1-866-884-6887
- Email: admin@discovereyecare.com
- Monday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Thursday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Friday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Saturday: 9:15 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Chilliwack Location
- 8-45540 Market Way
- Chilliwack, BC V2R 0M5
- Phone: 604.846.3130
- Fax: 1-866-846-9371
- Email: chilliwack@discovereyecare.com
- Monday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Thursday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Friday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Saturday: 9:15 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
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Chilliwack
- 8-45540 Market Way
- Chilliwack, BC V2R 0M5
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P: 604.846.3130
chilliwack@discovereyecare.com
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Abbotsford
- 1215 Sumas Way, Unit 200
- Abbotsford, BC V2S 8H2
-
P: 604.859.9225
admin@discovereyecare.com