While annual eye exams are recommended, certain emergencies may arise that require you to see an optometrist right away.
If you are experiencing pain, redness, discharge, or sudden vision loss, contact one of our optometrists immediately for an emergency eye appointment.
Our doctor can treat emergencies such as eye infections, foreign objects, and eye trauma and can also help determine the causes of your sudden vision changes.
Costs Covered by Alberta Health Care
Most emergency visits to an optometrist are covered through Alberta Health Care. Your coverage includes treatments for eye-related issues such as:
- Dry eye
- Eye infections
- Eye injuries
- Foreign objects in the eyes
- Sudden changes in vision
- Diabetes, glaucoma, and retinal disease monitoring
- Pre- and post-operative care for cataract patients
Click here to learn more about coverage and direct billing.
Symptoms of Emergency Eye Issues
Blurred Vision
The causes of blurred vision can range from serious issues such as stroke or retinal detachment to less serious issues like dry eye or a change in your prescription.
If you are experiencing additional symptoms of blurred vision, such as numbness in your face or body, difficulty speaking or dizziness, book an emergency eye visit immediately or go to your medical doctor or local emergency room right away.
Even if your vision clears up, see your doctor of optometry for a full eye health exam to ensure that there isn’t a more serious condition that may require treatment.
Eye Injury or Accident
An accident or injury can occur when something gets into your eye or a burn has affected the eye area. These are incidences that are worth getting checked by an optometrist through an emergency appointment.
Serious injuries can cause redness, swelling, light sensitivity, double vision, and pain. Without immediate treatment, eye injuries can lead to partial or permanent loss of vision.
Should you experience an injury to your eye, apply a cold compress to the area without applying pressure. This will help reduce pain and swelling until you can visit an optometrist. If your eye or eyelid is cut or punctured, cover the eye with a hollow rigid object like the bottom of a paper cup – do not try to remove the object.
If the incident involves a foreign body or chemical, flush out your eye with water for 15 minutes.
Bulging Eyes
Bulging of the eyes can be caused by an injury to the eye socket or abnormal blood vessels behind your eye. In more serious cases, bulging eyes can be a sign of a thyroid condition, inflammation, tumors, or bacterial infections.
If a bacterial infection is causing your eye to bulge, you must seek emergency treatment immediately – failing to do so can allow the infection to spread throughout your body and potentially to your brain, which can threaten your vision.
Other Warning Signs
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should also call to book an emergency eye appointment:
- Burning or stinging eyes
- Eyes are not moving in sync
- Decreased or double vision
- Light sensitivity
- Bruising or bleeding around the eye
- Discharge and redness
- Severe itching
- New or severe headaches
Prioritize Your Eye Health
Your eyes are precious organs that contribute to your quality of life. When you don’t seek immediate treatment for serious issues, you place your vision at risk. You can lose a part of your vision.
If you are experiencing an eye emergency in the Edmonton area, please do not hesitate to contact us for an emergency appointment.
You can reach us by phone at 780-761-0080.