Get the Help You Need

When you experience an eye emergency, knowing where to get help quickly can save your sight. Receiving treatment as soon as possible can prevent worsening symptoms. Emergency eye care is available at Old Town Optix Optometry during our regular office hours.

Our eye care team can diagnose and treat many common eye emergencies, from sports injuries to chemical exposure. Contact us immediately if you’re experiencing sudden vision changes or eye discomfort.

Outside our office hours, please visit your nearest emergency room.

Contact Us

Common Types of Eye Emergencies

Chemical Exposure

Chemical exposure can occur because of common household items, like cleaning products or vinegar, or workplace materials, like industrial cleaners or fumes.

Without treatment, chemical burns can permanently damage your cornea (the clear front of the eye). Other symptoms include:

Burning or pain
Redness or swelling
Watery eyes

After chemical exposure, flush your eyes immediately with clean water for at least 15 minutes. If your wear contact lenses, wash your hands and remove your lenses. Contact us or your nearest emergency room as soon as possible.

Eye Disease

Some eye diseases, including closed-angle glaucoma and wet macular degeneration, can cause sudden symptoms and quickly lead to permanent vision loss. You may experience intense eye pain, floaters, flashes of light, upset stomach, or vision changes.

Regular eye exams can help monitor eye health and implement treatment when necessary. Rarely, symptoms may develop rapidly. Immediately contact your optometrist if you feel eye discomfort or notice vision changes.

Foreign Object in the Eye

Foreign objects are any material entering from outside the body, including dust, sand, and debris. Your tears can wash away many smaller particles, but even grains of sand can cause corneal scarring. Larger foreign objects can scratch or penetrate the eye, potentially get stuck in the eye, or cause severe symptoms.

When your eye is cut or punctured, do not rinse or touch your eye. Try to avoid blinking and cover the eye with a clean cloth. Seek medical help immediately.

Physical Trauma

Physical trauma refers to any impact around the eye, whether it’s a knock on the head or a blow to the eye. Symptoms can vary depending on the type of injury. However, it’s crucial to have your optometrist check your eyes after physical trauma.

Common symptoms after physical trauma can include:

A black eye
Bleeding
Eye pain
Headache
Limited eye movement
Swelling or bulging
Unusual pupil size
Vision changes or double vision

Placing a cold compress on the area (not directly on the eye) can help control swelling. If you’re experiencing excessive bleeding or multiple injuries, immediately visit an emergency room. For vision symptoms or direct eye trauma, your optometrist can help.

Come See What We’re About

Our practice is located in the Old Town La Quinta shopping mall complex. Find our door to the right of the Old Town Tavern. Plenty of parking is available on the south side of the building, facing Avenida La Fonda.