Eye Emergencies in Edwardsville

Eye Emergencies in Edwardsville

Foreign objects or stabbing pains in your eye? Don’t wait!

(618) 656-8888

Experiencing a stab of pain in your eye?

Sudden changes in vision? Images appearing faded, blurry or foggy?

Got chemicals or another foreign object or substance in your eye?

Come visit Edwardsville Vision Center for emergency eye care.

Our Edwardsville optometrists can help you preserve your vision and eye health.

eye emergency treated at Edwardsville Vision Center

We understand that accidents happen.

Our optometrists know exactly what to do to help you through your eye care emergency.

Whether it’s a workplace accident, an at-home incident, or some other emergency requiring immediate attention, we’re here to help you preserve your eye health and sight!


What To Do If You Have an Eye Emergency

close-up of eye

First things first. Don’t panic! Staying calm is the best way to help you think straight and help those around you to remain calm. Often, it’s not necessary to go to an emergency room for eye emergencies. In fact, the vast majority of people who go to the emergency room for eye care could have received treatment from their local optometrist instead.

If you’re unsure whether you’re experiencing an eye emergency, give us a call immediately! Delay may increase the risk of serious complications and may result in vision loss.

Until you see your eye doctor or seek urgent care, avoid the following:

  • Don’t try to remove an embedded object out of your eye
  • If your eye is injured, don't press on it or rub it
  • Dry cotton and sharp instruments such as tweezers should never be used on the eye.

Whether you've had a workplace accident or an at-home incident, our eye doctors are here to help


Eye Emergencies FAQs

What is considered an eye emergency?

Eye emergencies are anything that may cause permanent damage to your eyes or vision without timely intervention from an eye care professional.

The most common types of eye emergencies include:

  • A blow, poke or other trauma to the eye
  • Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
  • Chemical spills in the eye
  • Foreign object embedded in the eye
  • Sudden appearance of light flashes or floaters
  • Contact lens lost in the eye
Does an eye infection require urgent care?

Symptoms of an eye infection typically include itching, burning, redness, crusty and watery eyes. See a Edwardsville eye doctor if your symptoms last over 4 days or if you experience intense pain, redness, blurred vision or light sensitivity.

What should I do if a foreign object enters my eye?

Most of the time, a person can easily remove debris from the eye by repeatedly blinking to get the debris out. If that doesn't work, you can wash your eye with saline (sterile salt water) to flush out any dust and dirt from your eye, or use streaming tap water.

However, to scratch your cornea while attempting to get an object out which can cause further site-threatening complications.

So the best thing you can do in this kind of eye emergency is to get to your eye doctor in Edwardsville as soon as possible.

Patient Reviews
4.7
330 Reviews
5
4
3
2
1
- Oct. 04, 2024
We had an amazing experience with this vision center. Friendly, informative and easy to schedule and... modify appointments. I highly recommend going here.
- Jul. 02, 2024
Amazing staff and overall an amazing experience every time I go there
- Jul. 01, 2024
Entire staff is friendly and knowledgeable, a very pleasant expierence.
- Jun. 19, 2024
Love it here. Great doctor. Great staff. Malika is the best. I have been trying for at least 4 years... to get my daughter to pick new frames and have failed. Malika convinced her! My daughter loves them.
- Jun. 07, 2024
Everyone was friendly, helpful and professional.
- Jun. 01, 2024
Got me in super quick was nervous about the 2 week glasses wait and receive my glasses in a week or ... less OVER THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND!!!!! Very nice and welcoming new eye doctor i like for sure !
- May. 26, 2024
Great experience all the way around. Easy to setup the appointment, didn’t wait long at the office... and Dr. Boatman was great!! Highly recommend!
- May. 20, 2024
Will be a returning customer that’s for sure. Have large inventory of frames to choose from, and t... he workers are also kind and very professional. Highly recommend you to others. Had I known you were there sooner I would have come sooner keep up the good work.
- May. 16, 2024
Always very friendly staff and on time
- May. 03, 2024
All staff was very friendly Service was quick
- Apr. 24, 2024
Edwardsville Vision Center was great! The doctor and staff were so patient and kind with our 5-year-... old son. We were able to get an appointment quickly and on a weekend so we didn’t have to take off work. Highly recommend!
- Mar. 30, 2024
Dr Ashley is amazing. Great service. Very efficient. She and the team did a wonderful job.
- Mar. 26, 2024
Had a quick and easy test and no time to get my glasses.
- Feb. 13, 2024
I had an eye vision appointment on 2/13/24. Great overall experience and great environment! Friendly... and very nice staff. I would definitely recommend this place for all your vision needs. Thanks for a great experience. 👍
- Jan. 17, 2024
N/a
- Jan. 11, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ across the board! I had an appointment for a glasses and contacts exa... m with Dr. Boatman 1/10/24. I was greeted warmly by the staff up front and quickly moved into the testing room with the assistant where I had my preliminary tests done (I can’t remember her name but she was informative and kind). After those tests, Dr. Boatman greeted me across the hall and carefully walked me through my exam. She was friendly, thorough and understanding. I have tried several different types of contacts over the last 20+ years and have struggled finding anything comfortable. She listened to my concerns and was able to recommend a new type specific for my astigmatism and even had some trial lenses to give me before I make a final decision. I went back up front to finish my appointment and pay. I had a few questions about my insurance and prescription and the staff were extremely helpful and knowledgeable. I’ve been going to the eye doctor since I was 8 years old; it’s not always a pleasant experience. This is not the case at Edwardsville Vision Center. Dr. Boatman and the staff were fantastic! 10/10 recommend 🤗
- Jan. 08, 2024
I love this establishment. They were very nice and efficient and got the job done.
- Nov. 10, 2023
Highly impressed with how friendly staff members are. The doctor is fabulous. Definitely a great pla... ce to bring children.
- Oct. 05, 2023
They were very very AWESOME
- Sep. 18, 2023
Great staff and convenient location to my home.

View All 330 Reviews

Urgent Eye Care in Edwardsville

Our optometry practice in Edwardsville

Photograph of Natalie  Hutchison
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • Medicaid
  • Anthem
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • EyeMed
  • MetLife

Woman with red eyes holding her head

Have an eye emergency?

Protect your vision by contacting Edwardsville Vision Center in Edwardsville without delay!

(618) 656-8888