Need Urgent Care in Burlington?
Your local optometrist has the training and equipment to most effectively treat most eye emergencies. In fact, ER doctors will often refer eye emergencies to an optometrist in any event. Don’t waste your time and see your eye doctor first!
At Dr.'s Eyecare Center in Burlington, NJ we specialize in handling all manner of eye emergencies quickly and effectively. Our office uses cutting edge technology to digitally scan the front surface and back layers of the eye to accurately assess virtually every eye injury. Whether you are visiting Burlington or live in the area, we are happy to provide you with the highest level of emergency vision are available. We encourage anyone who is feeling concern about their vision or injury to their eyes to give us a call. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will make sure to fit you in quickly, even after hours.
Don’t Go to the ER―See Your Optometrist!
We have a 24-hour phone line for emergencies and will make sure that our patients will be seen as soon as possible.
We Treat the Following Eye Emergencies and More:
- Sudden Vision Loss
- Eye floaters
- Eye Infections and Pink Eye
- Foreign Body Removal (removing things stuck in the eye)
- Eye injuries and cuts to the eye
- Painful, itchy, red, dry, or uncomfortable eyes
- Emergency contact lens and glasses
Did you Get Something in Your Eye?
We receive a lot of calls about removing something stuck in your eye (foreign body removal). In most cases this can be done from the comfort of your own home. If you are having difficulty removing it, are concerned that the object is dangerous such as chemicals, glass, or wood splinters, call our practice to schedule and emergency appointment. Our eye doctor’s office is equipped with special equipment that allow us to identify and take out an object stuck in the eye.
- Vigorously wash your hands with soap and water, this applies to others who are helping you as well.
- Have a friend try to find the object or if you are alone use a mirror.
- Try blinking as tears and natural lubricant in your eyes may wash it out.
- Attempt to flush out the object with water at room temperature. You can pour the water from cup or bottle, or use a slowly running faucet or shower. Make sure you wait enough time so that a size-able amount of water has been used.
- Gently pull your upper eyelid over your lower eyelid and roll your eyes.
- Use a sterile cotton swab and gently wipe the inner corners of your eye. Make sure to focus your eyes on the opposite direction of where you feel the object.
Never rub your eyes as this may cause scratches to your eye which can lead to infection or worse. Never try to self treat a chemical that went in your eye. In the event of a chemical, quickly wash the eye for 15 minutes under a faucet and call your eye doctor to find out what to do for the chemical that you were exposed to.
Eye Trauma Q&A with Dr. Levy
Call your eye doctor. Your actions will depend on the exact location of the bleeding.
If chemicals are spilled in the eye, it is best to thoroughly rinse the eye with water. Tap water is fine. The water can come from a shower, a kitchen sink sprayer or, if outside, a hose. You can pour water from a glass or bucket. The key is to use a lot of water and to do it immediately. You should do it up to 30 minutes, depending on how much chemical and what kind of chemical you get in your eyes. After rinsing, you should call your eye doctor.
Seeing spots or floating colors suddenly?
Spots or floaters are usually not a cause for concern, but it is possible that they can be the result of a retinal tear or detachment, which should be treated immediately. Call your eye doctor for any sudden floaters, flashes, spots, cobwebs, shadows or curtains within your vision. Cover each eye to try to determine which eye it may be coming from. If the doctor wants to see you, you should expect to have one or both pupils dilated.
Yes. New onset double vision may be the sign of a dangerous condition like a stroke.
Sudden, short pains in the eye are not usually cause for concern. Frequent or lasting pain should be seen by your eye doctor.
For one of the above materials in the eye, try to rinse it out with water as described in the previous section. If the eye is then comfortable, it is likely that you have been successful. If there is still a foreign body sensation, you should see an eye doctor. It is always best to see an eye doctor rather than going to an urgent care center or an emergency room. If that is not possible, then an urgent care center or an emergency room will probably be better than not being seen at all.
Schedule an appointment with your eye doctor. Often there is no real cause for alarm but it is possible.
Call your eye doctor, if possible. There may be instructions that need to be carried out even before arriving at the office or emergency room (should that be required).
Get Immediate Eye Care When You Need It
Eye emergencies shouldn’t wait. If you’re experiencing sudden vision changes, eye pain, injury, or infection, the team at Dr.’s Eyecare Center is here to help. Our experienced eye doctors provide prompt, compassionate emergency eye care to protect your vision. Contact us right away or schedule an appointment for immediate attention.