Know Where to Go in an Emergency
Accidents can put your eye health and vision at risk, whether it’s sports, work, or at home. You never know when an eye emergency can happen, so knowing what to do and where to go is crucial. Quick treatment can help save your vision.
Visit our practice in Saskatoon, and we can care for your eye health and vision. Call us right away at 306-373-2234 so we can help determine the appropriate next steps for your care. If your emergency occurs outside of our regular business hours, contact our after-hours emergency line at 306-371-9911.
If we are unavailable, please head to your nearest emergency room.
What Is an Eye Emergency?
An eye emergency is a situation where your eye health and vision are at stake, such as a hit to the eye, a cut, or an eye disease. Even the smallest injury can damage your eye health, making treatment essential for protecting your sight.
Some potential eye emergencies include:
- Blunt trauma
- Burns
- Chemical exposure
- Cuts
- Eye infections
- Foreign objects in the eye
What to Do During an Emergency
While emergencies can be overwhelming or scary, we’re here to help. Visiting us as soon as possible can help preserve your vision. We can assess the damage to your eye and provide timely treatment.
While it’s important to visit your eye doctor immediately, taking certain steps can help protect your eye health.
Follow these steps if your eyes come in contact with some type of chemical
- Wash your hands with soap and water before touching the affected area
- Flush your eyes with cool or lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes. Turn your head so the affected eye is down and to the side (you do not want to flush chemicals from one eye to the other). Hold the eyelid open and do not stop flushing the eye until 15 minutes has passed, even if the irritation improves before that.
- Seek medical attention
A corneal abrasion (scratch) on the surface of the eye can be painful and may impact vision if it scars. In the case of a corneal abrasion:
- Avoid rubbing the eye
- Cover gently (do not apply pressure)
- Seek medical care
We will evaluate your eye injury and may place a contact lens bandage to support healing and reduce the chance of scarring.
If you get something small, such as dust, dirt or an eyelash in your eye, try blinking to remove debris if there is any in your eye. You can also try flushing the eye with cool water or saline solution. If you cannot get the item out, visit us.
If you have a large foreign object in your eye, do not attempt to remove it yourself. Seek medical attention immediately.
We’re Here to Help
We know emergencies can be stressful, and you may not know what to do, but contacting us is a good start. We can help assess the damage to your eye and do our best to protect your vision. You can count on us to care for your vision and eye health.
Contact us or visit your nearest emergency room if you experience an eye emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions about Eye Emergencies
An eye emergency includes:
- Sudden vision loss
- Chemical exposure
- Severe eye pain
- Physical trauma
- Foreign objects stuck in the eye
Warning signs like blood in the eye, sudden flashes of light, or a dark shadow over your field of vision also require urgent medical attention.
If you notice any of these serious signs, call InVision Eyecare immediately at 306-373-2234 or proceed to the nearest emergency room.
Remain calm and avoid touching, rubbing, or pressing on the injured eye, as this can cause further damage. Protect the eye without applying pressure, and seek immediate professional help right away.
Flush your eye immediately with clean, lukewarm water or saline solution for 15 to 20 minutes without pausing. Remove contact lenses if you were wearing them. Do not rub your eye or attempt to neutralize the chemical with other liquids.
Immediately after flushing out the eye, call InVision Eyecare at 306-373-2234 or proceed directly to the nearest emergency room for urgent care.
Try blinking gently to allow natural tears to wash away loose dust or eyelashes, but never attempt to remove embedded glass, metal, or sharp objects yourself. Cover the eye loosely with a clean shield or cup to prevent accidental rubbing or pressure.
If an object is stuck or causing sharp pain, call InVision Eyecare immediately at 306-373-2234 or head straight to the emergency room.
Yes, the sudden appearance of bright flashes, a storm of dark floaters across your vision, or partial vision loss can indicate a retinal detachment or other critical condition. If you experience these sudden vision changes, call InVision Eyecare immediately at 306-373-2234 or go directly to the emergency room.
Chemical burns, penetrating injuries, and severe head or eye trauma require immediate treatment at the nearest hospital emergency room.
For sudden red eyes, corneal scratches, or loose foreign debris, calling an optometry clinic for a same-day emergency assessment is often appropriate. If you are unsure of the severity or are in severe pain, call InVision Eyecare at 306-373-2234 right away for guidance or proceed directly to the emergency room.
Come See Us in Saskatoon
We’re located on the corner of 8th Street East and Sommerfeld Avenue. Find us next to the OK Tire. There is parking, including accessible spaces right outside our office.
Our Address
Contact Information
- Phone: 306-373-2234
- Fax: 306-373-2861
- Email: ivereception@yxevision.ca
After Hours Emergencies: 306-371-9911
Hours of Operation
*Closed on Saturdays during long weekends.
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