Emergency Care Specialist

What is an eye emergency?

There are many potential eye emergencies. Some of the most common include:

• Bleeding eye
• Foreign body in the eye, like metal shavings or a wood splinter
• Trauma to the eye, such as from a sports injury
• Severe eye pain
• Severe swelling in the eye
• Sudden vision loss or sudden significant vision changes

There are many other situations that could potentially qualify as eye care emergencies. People with an eye problem that seems like it warrants immediate attention, for any reason, should get in touch with the team at Antelope Valley Optometric Center to discuss the proper course of action.

What steps can help keep an eye injury from worsening?

Getting to the eye doctor is the most important thing in an eye emergency, but there are also several other things to do, or not do, including:

• Do not press or rub on the eye
• Do not try to remove a foreign body from the eye, even if it looks easy to extract
• Wash hands before placing them anywhere near the eye
• Don't put anything, including tissue, in the eye
• If the eye is bleeding, use a soft cloth below the eye, but not in it, to wipe away blood

It is best to avoid touching the affected eye at all if possible, and do not let anyone else touch it either. It’s important to have someone provide a ride to Antelope Valley Optometric Center in the event of an eye injury requiring emergency care. Never try to drive with while suffering from an eye injury.

When a child has an eye emergency, it’s important as an adult to remain calm to help them remain calm in turn. Try to bring a comfort object of some type, for example, a favorite blanket, to help keep the child calm during the office visit. Antelope Valley Optometric Center specializes in pediatric eye care.

When is Antelope Valley Optometric Center open for emergency care?

Antelope Valley Optometric Center offers emergency care during all regular business hours, which are:

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8am-5pm
• Tuesday, Thursday: 9:30am-6: 30pm
• Saturday: 8am-12pm, by appointment only

The Antelope Valley Optometric Center team works patients into the schedule for emergencies during regular office hours. Call ahead to help minimize any wait time, and use the emergency number for after-hours advice and care.

Use online booking to check for the next available appointment or call Antelope Valley Optometric Center today for prompt emergency care.