Accidents can happen at any time to anyone. It can be particularly scary when you or a loved one has sustained an injury to the eye. When you’re stressed and worried, it can be challenging to know where to go for help. We provide emergency eye care services for many injuries and do what we can to accommodate you so you can immediately get care.
If we’re not open or your injury can’t wait, please call 911 or visit your closest emergency room.
Accidents happen all the time, but when you or a loved one experiences an injury to the eyes, it can be scary. In times of stress, it’s not always easy to know what to do or where to go. Know that we are here for you and can provide emergency eye care.
Even if an injury seems relatively minor, it can still have long-term consequences to your eye health or vision, so always consult a professional. If you experienced trauma to one or both eyes and are experiencing sudden vision loss, swelling, or bleeding, visit an emergency room immediately or call 911.
We use advanced diagnostic technology to accurately diagnose various eye emergencies, ranging from infections and injuries to medical eye emergencies, like angle-closure glaucoma. We can treat multiple common injuries, including:
Harmful chemicals can cause burns, UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds, hot water or steam, or household appliances like curling or straightening irons.
Chemical burns occur when household or industrial chemicals enter the eyes. Many people work around hazardous chemicals, but many household cleaners and products also contain acids and alkalis.
If you’ve sustained burns to your eyes, either from chemicals or heat, flush your eyes immediately with cool, clean water for at least 15 minutes.
Direct blows or blunt trauma to the eyes and surrounding areas can lead to significant damage to the eyes, eyelids, or eye sockets. You can sustain this type of injury by falling, getting struck in the face, from a car accident, or while playing sports.
Even if an eye injury looks relatively minor, it can still put your eye health and vision at risk. In some cases, damage to the eye can be missed, leading to complications later. It’s always important to seek help from medical professionals to rule out serious injury.
If you’ve sustained an injury to the face, eye, or surrounding area, watch for symptoms like:
Small foreign objects, like eyelashes and hair, sand and dirt, or makeup, often enter the eyes. Small things like these can usually be removed easily by flushing your eyes with clean water or blinking or tearing. Even if you can’t get a small foreign object out of your eyes, never rub. This can scratch your cornea, increasing your risk of eye infections.
Although corneal scratches often heal on their own, you should still seek medical attention to avoid the risk of infection or other complications. If you can’t locate the object and the irritation continues, call our office.
Larger or sharp foreign objects, like glass or metal shards, can cause serious injury and require immediate medical attention. Objects like this can puncture the eye, causing damage to the ocular structures.
If you have something embedded in your eye, never touch it, apply pressure, or remove it yourself. Call us immediately.
Eye damage is not always apparent after sustaining an injury. Even if your accident seemed insignificant, watch for vision changes or signs and symptoms of infection.
Signs & Symptoms of Infection
Sensitivity to light could be a symptom of eye disease.
Signs & Symptoms of Retinal Detachment
A retinal tear or detachment can result from an eye injury, age-related macular degeneration, tumours, age, or other health conditions, like diabetes and inflammatory disorders. Signs of retinal tears or detachments include:
If you have experienced a traumatic eye injury and require medical assistance, call our office as soon as possible.
Most eye emergencies can—and should—be treated by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Many Canadians have visited an emergency room for eye care when they could have been treated by their optometrist instead.
3% of emergency room visits in 2014 were for conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the conjunctiva that’s easily diagnosed and treated by optometrists.
The majority of eye-related injuries and illnesses can be treated at our clinic by our experienced optometry team. We have the knowledge and equipment to provide a quick assessment and treatment for your injury.
In rare instances where your care requires specialized assessment or treatment beyond our scope, we can refer you ourselves. However, if our clinic is closed and your injury cannot wait for us to reopen, you should call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room.
If you have sustained an eye injury or have questions about eye health, please call us today.
You can find our St. George location just off Main Street, next to the Community Living Centre.
You can find our St. George location just off Main Street, next to the Community Living Centre.
Located between Grannan St and Princess St across from Trinity Royal Anglican Church.
Located between Grannan St and Princess St across from Trinity Royal Anglican Church.
I am very satisfied with the business and services of Dr. Brown and Associates. My glasses that I got were not quite right however the people at Dr. Brown’s did not hesitate to take them back and give me a new pair without any hesitation.
Dr. Brown is the most caring, compassionate, and knowledgeable optometrist there is! For many years I have trusted him, and Faye, for wonderful care at his St. George office. He has helped with many ups and downs on my vision journey (and there have been many). I would recommend Dr. Brown to anyone needing vision care.
I enjoy every aspect about being a patient here at the office of Dr. Brown and Associates. They are such a great group of people.
Everyone here is always helpful and pleasant. They take the time to discuss options and explain things. They have adjusted my glasses several times at no charge even though it was entirely my fault they got bent. When I broke my frames they were able to get me an inexpensive pair and cut down the lenses to fit. Definitely going to get a second pair here.
St. George
Saint John
