Emergency Eye Care | Mississauga

Recognizing and Responding to Eye Emergencies

An eye emergency is any situation involving an injury to the eye area or sudden, distressing changes in your vision. This can include anything from a chemical splash or a foreign object in the eye to the sudden appearance of flashes, floaters, or a “curtain” over your sight.

If you are experiencing an eye emergency, please call us immediately at 905-567-9791. Our team can provide instructions and get you in as soon as possible. If an emergency occurs outside of our regular clinic hours, please proceed directly to your nearest hospital emergency room for assistance.

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Signs of Common Eye Emergencies

Common eye emergencies include scratches or injury to your eye, a foreign object or chemical in the eye area, an infection, and sudden-onset complications of eye diseases.

Some signs that you could be experiencing an eye emergency include:

Burning or stinging
Severe eye pain
Bulging eyes
Pupils that differ in size
Double vision
Redness, severe itching, or discharge from the eye
Bruising or bleeding from the eye or nearby area
A sudden, severe headache
Eyes not moving together
A significant increase in floaters, especially when accompanied by flashes of light

Essential First Aid: Dos and Don’ts for Eye Emergencies

While your primary goal is to reach a medical professional, taking the right initial steps can protect your vision. Always start by washing your hands thoroughly before touching the area around your eye.

In the case of chemical contact: Immediately flush the eye with clean, cool water for at least 15 minutes. In this specific case, you should remove contact lenses if you are wearing them.
For physical injuries: Lightly cover the eye to protect it, but apply no pressure to the eyeball itself.
What to avoid: Never rub your eye or apply pressure, as this can worsen a scratch or embed a foreign object deeper. Do not attempt to remove large objects stuck in the eye, and do not attempt to remove contact lenses for physical trauma. Wait until an eye care or emergency medical professional can assist you.

Proactive Steps to Prevent Eye Injuries and Vision Loss

Many eye emergencies are preventable with a few simple habits. We recommend wearing proper PPE (safety eyewear) whenever you are performing construction, DIY home repairs, or yard work. Even a small flying wood chip or pebble can cause significant injuries to your eye.

In your daily routine, use caution when applying eye makeup to avoid scratching the surface of your eye and strictly follow our instructions regarding contact lens hygiene and wear times. Finally, stay ahead of “silent” emergencies by attending routine eye exams, which can help us to monitor your ocular health and catch underlying issues before they become urgent.

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