Call Us During an Eye Emergency; We’re Here to Help
Even those with careful attention to safety sometimes find themselves in an emergency. Your eyelids, eyelashes, and tears protect your eyes from debris and foreign objects, but emergencies still happen.
Some situations can wait; these should not. Visit our office in the case of:
- Corneal abrasions or scratches
- A foreign object in the eye
- Chemical in the eye
- Sudden changes in vision
- Partial or complete vision loss
- Thick yellow, green, or white discharge in your eye or eyes
- Sudden increase or changes in floaters
- Flashes in your vision
- Blood in front of the iris (please proceed to your nearest emergency facility)
Reacting quickly could save your eyesight. In an emergency, seek help immediately. There is no need to delay care in an emergency. Many emergency eye care visits are covered through Saskatchewan Health.
If you are experiencing an eye emergency, do not wait for symptoms to worsen. Call us right away at 306-242-4186 so we can help determine the appropriate next steps for your care. If your emergency occurs outside of our regular business hours, contact our after-hours emergency line at 306-371-9911.
If we are unavailable, please head to your nearest emergency room.
Immediate Steps to Care for an Eye Injury
There are a few common eye injuries where some immediate steps should be taken right away before you seek medical attention. In the following cases, take a moment to perform these first aid steps before seeking medical care.
If a chemical has been splashed, sprayed, or sprinkled into your eyes, it will continue to do damage as long as it sits on the mucous membrane.Â
Immediately flush your eye or eyes with cool water. Continue to rinse your eyes for a full 15 minutes, even if you experience relief after the first few minutes.
If an object has managed to get past your eyelids and eyelashes into your eye, do not use tweezers near or in your eyes. Particularly in the case of lashes, makeup, and pet fur, try flushing the object out with water. In the case of glass or metal in your eye, it is important to seek immediate medical help. Do not try to remove large objects on your own.
In the case of an emergency, please call our office.
In the case of a corneal abrasion (a scratch to the surface of the eye), do not rub your eye. You can cover the eye with a loose bandage, but do not apply pressure.
Then, visit us for an evaluation. Our optometrists can check the injury and may apply a contact lens bandage to the eye to support healing.
What Happens During an Emergency Eye Exam?
During an emergency eye exam, our Saskatoon optometrists will ask about your symptoms, when they started, and whether there was an injury, infection, or sudden change in your vision. From there, we can examine your eyes closely and determine what may be causing the problem.
Your visit may include vision testing, eye pressure measurement, retinal evaluation, or other diagnostic checks depending on your symptoms. If your concern requires treatment, follow-up care, or referral to another healthcare provider, we’ll explain the next steps clearly.
If you are unsure whether your symptoms need urgent attention, contact Pinehouse Eyecare and our team can help you decide how quickly you should be seen.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eye Emergencies
Avoid rubbing, touching, or pressing on your eye, and do not attempt to remove embedded objects yourself. Call our clinic immediately so our team can assess your situation, provide immediate instructions, and prepare for your arrival.
No, you should never delay seeking medical attention for sudden vision loss, eye pain, or physical trauma, as waiting can result in permanent damage to your sight. If you notice any sudden or concerning visual changes, please call our clinic right away.
Optometry clinics are equipped to diagnose and treat corneal scratches, eye infections, minor trauma, and loose foreign debris. For severe chemical burns, major head or facial trauma, proceed directly to the nearest hospital emergency room. If you are unsure, call our clinic for guidance.
Warning signs include sudden or severe eye pain, sudden vision loss, bright flashes of light, a storm of dark floaters, double vision, or visible blood inside the eye. If you notice any of these red-flag symptoms, please call our clinic immediately or seek emergency medical care.
Our clinic prioritizes urgent visual concerns. If you suspect an eye injury or infection, call our clinic right away so we can accommodate you as quickly as possible.
Yes, Saskatchewan Health covers urgent ocular health appointments, such as treatments for eye injuries, infections, foreign objects, and sudden flashes or floaters, for residents with a valid Saskatchewan Health Card. If you are experiencing urgent visual symptoms, please call our clinic immediately to arrange prompt care.
Visit Our Location
We’re located on the corner of Pinehouse Drive and Primrose Drive. Find us just across the street from Umea Vast Park. Free parking is available in front of the clinic.
Our Address
Contact Information
- Phone: 306-242-4186
- Fax: 306-242-5586
- Email: pecadmin@yxevision.ca
After Hours Emergencies: 306-371-9911
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