Urgent eye care
When your eye needs a doctor soon
Red, irritated or painful eyes, something in the eye, a scratch or a contact lens that won't come out: call and say what happened. We find the nearest doctor with an opening, or tell you to go to an emergency room.
These visits are usually billed to your medical insurance, not your vision plan, because they are about an eye problem and not a routine exam. How fees work explains the difference.
- Sudden vision loss, flashes of light, a curtain over your vision, a chemical splash or an eye injury needs care now. Call our office right away or go to an emergency room. If you can't reach us, call 911.
What to expect
When you call
- 01
Step 1: Call the main number
Tell us what happened and when it started. If it sounds like an emergency, we say so and tell you where to go.
- 02
Step 2: We find a doctor
We look across all twelve offices for the nearest doctor with an opening, and tell you how to get there.
- 03
Step 3: The visit
The doctor looks at your eye, measures the pressure and, if needed, uses drops to see the back of it.
- 04
Step 4: Your plan and follow-up
The doctor explains what was found and what to do next, and tells you when to come back. If you need care we do not provide, we refer you to the right doctor.
Who we see
Problems we see patients for
Red or irritated eyes
Itching, burning, watering or a gritty feeling that hasn't settled.
Something in the eye
A speck, an eyelash or a bit of dust that won't wash out.
A scratch on the surface
From a fingernail, a branch or a contact lens.
Eyelid bumps
A tender lump on the edge of the lid.
Contact lens trouble
A lens that hurts, sticks or leaves your eye red.
Eye infections
Swelling, discharge or crusting, with or without a red eye.
Questions
About urgent visits
How do I know if I should go to an emergency room?
Sudden vision loss, a curtain over your vision, a sudden shower of floaters, an eye injury or a chemical splash needs care now. Call us right away or go to an emergency room, and call 911 if it is life-threatening.
Do I need to be an existing patient?
No. Call the main number and we find a time.
Will my vision plan cover an urgent visit?
Usually not. These visits go to medical insurance. We check before you come where we can.
Eye trouble can't wait?
Call the main number, and we find the nearest doctor with an opening.