Emergency Eye Care

Anything that can cost vision if it waits: sudden loss or blurring of vision, a chemical splash, a cut or punctured eye, an object embedded in the eye, a blow that changes how the eye looks or moves, flashes with a shower of floaters, or severe pain. Pink eye, a scratch, grit in the eye, and a stye are urgent rather than emergencies: same day with an eye doctor, not a trip to the hospital.

You can, and for a mild pink eye it may be enough. Urgent care usually has no slit lamp, no dye to show a scratch or ulcer, and no way to examine the retina, so anything beyond a simple red eye tends to end in a referral to an eye doctor anyway. Calling an optometrist first saves the second visit, and we see urgent problems the same day.

Yes, and for some problems it is the right place: chemical burns, cuts and punctures, fractures around the eye, and sudden vision loss, where a hospital can image the eye and call in a surgeon. For infections, scratches, debris, and floaters, an emergency room typically stabilizes the eye and refers you to an eye doctor for the actual treatment.

Yes. Under the slit lamp, a bacterial, viral, and allergic conjunctivitis look different, and a corneal ulcer looks different again. Our optometrists prescribe the antibiotic, antiviral, or anti-inflammatory drops the diagnosis calls for and recheck the eye to confirm it is clearing.

Pain that does not ease, vision that drops suddenly, a pupil that has changed size or shape, blood in the clear part of the eye, an eye that will not move with the other, a torn eyelid, and anything stuck in the eye that tears and blinking cannot clear. The American Academy of Ophthalmology lists these as signs of serious injury. Any one of them means a hospital now.

Gradual blurring over weeks, mild dryness or grittiness, a long-standing floater that has not changed, tired eyes after screen work, or a red eye with no pain and normal vision. Those deserve an appointment this week, not tonight. If you are unsure which group you are in, call (310) 305-2950 and describe it.

An optometrist. A stye is a blocked, infected gland in the eyelid, and most clear with warm compresses and lid hygiene over a week or two. One that is growing, very painful, or not draining is treated with prescription ointment, and a stubborn one can be drained in the office. Do not squeeze it.

Call first, (310) 305-2950, so the front desk can fit you into the same day and tell you whether to come straight in. Walk-ins during business hours are seen as soon as a doctor is free. We are open Monday through Saturday 10am to 6pm and Sunday 11am to 4pm.

Do not rub the eye. Take out a contact lens if you can do it gently, and bring the lens and its case. Do not try to pull out anything embedded; cover the eye loosely instead. For a splash, rinse with clean running water for fifteen minutes before anything else. Bring sunglasses and, if your vision is affected, someone to drive.

The office is closed outside business hours, including evenings. For a true emergency, chemical burn, cut eye, sudden vision loss, go to the nearest emergency room. For a red or scratched eye that can wait until morning, keep the lens out, do not rub it, and call when we open; you will be seen that day.

Viral and bacterial pink eye are both contagious through hands and shared towels; allergic pink eye is not. Viral cases run their course over one to two weeks. Bacterial cases usually improve within a few days of antibiotic drops. The exam tells you which you have, which decides whether drops will help and when it is safe to return to work or school.

No. A visit for a symptom or injury is medical and bills to medical insurance, like a visit to a physician. A vision plan covers routine exams and eyewear. Bring your medical card. If you have no coverage, call ahead and ask; the front desk will tell you what to expect before you come in.