When Your Eyes Need Urgent Attention
Eye emergencies can happen quickly — a sudden red eye, a foreign object that won't rinse out, a scratch on the surface of the eye, or symptoms of an infection like pink eye. When something doesn't feel right with your vision or your eyes, prompt evaluation matters, since some conditions can worsen quickly without treatment.
What Counts as an Eye Emergency?
Not every eye issue requires emergency care, but several common problems benefit from being seen quickly:
- Red or Painful Eyes: Sudden redness, pain, or swelling that doesn't resolve on its own.
- Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis): Redness, discharge, itching, or crusting that suggests an infection or irritation.
- Foreign Bodies: Something stuck in the eye — dust, metal, an eyelash, or debris — that causes discomfort or won't flush out with rinsing.
- Corneal Abrasions: A scratch on the surface of the eye, often causing pain, light sensitivity, and a gritty feeling.
- Sudden Vision Changes: Flashes of light, new floaters, or a sudden change in your vision.
What to Expect During an Urgent Visit
When you come in for an urgent eye concern, your provider will start by asking about your symptoms — when they started, whether anything caused them (like an injury or exposure to an irritant), and how your vision has been affected. From there, they'll examine the eye closely, often using magnification, to assess the surface of the eye, check for foreign material, and evaluate for infection or injury.
Depending on what's found, treatment may include flushing or removing a foreign body, prescribing medication for an infection or inflammation, or providing guidance on caring for a corneal abrasion while it heals. Your provider will also let you know what symptoms should prompt a follow-up visit or, if needed, more urgent care elsewhere.
Our Hours for Urgent Concerns
Ace Medical Care sees urgent eye concerns during our regular office hours, Monday through Friday. We are not a 24-hour emergency facility. If you're experiencing an eye problem during office hours, call us at (646) 682-7544 so we can advise you on the best next step and fit you in as quickly as possible. If your symptoms occur outside our office hours or involve a serious injury, significant vision loss, or a chemical exposure, please go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 right away rather than waiting for our office to open.
When to Seek Immediate Emergency Room Care
- Chemical exposure or splash in the eye
- Significant trauma to the eye or surrounding area
- Sudden, severe vision loss
- A visible object penetrating the eye
These situations should never wait for a regular office visit — seek emergency care immediately.
Ready to Book Your Appointment?
If you're experiencing an eye concern that isn't a true emergency, contact Ace Medical Care during our office hours and we'll do our best to see you promptly.