Urgent Eye Care

When sudden vision changes or eye injuries occur, it can be alarming. Knowing when to seek urgent eye care can make all the difference in protecting your vision. At Mission Optometric Center, we are here to provide prompt, expert care for a wide range of eye emergencies.

What Is an Eye Emergency?

An eye emergency refers to any sudden or severe issue affecting your eyes or vision that requires immediate attention. These situations often involve pain, trauma, sudden vision loss, or exposure to harmful substances. Prompt treatment can prevent long-term damage or even permanent vision loss.

Unlike routine vision issues, emergencies should never be ignored or delayed. Even if symptoms appear minor at first, they can escalate quickly without proper treatment.

Common Eye Emergencies

Eye emergencies come in many forms. Some of the most common include:

• Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes

• Eye injuries caused by sports accidents, workplace incidents, or foreign objects

• Chemical exposure or burns from cleaning supplies, solvents, or other substances

• Severe eye pain or redness that develops suddenly

• Flashes of light, new floaters, or a curtain-like shadow in your vision (possible signs of retinal detachment)

• Bleeding, swelling, or bruising around the eye after trauma

• Infections such as conjunctivitis (pink eye) or corneal ulcers that cause rapid discomfort or vision changes

• Contact lens-related injuries or irritation that does not improve with lens removal

How to Respond to an Eye Emergency

• Knowing what to do in the moment can also protect your vision:

• Do not rub your eyes - this can make injuries or scratches worse.

• Flush your eyes immediately if chemicals are involved, using clean water or saline solution.

• Avoid removing objects stuck in the eye. Cover the eye lightly and seek urgent care instead.

• Remove contact lenses if you suspect they’re part of the problem, unless removal causes more discomfort.

• Seek help immediately - call Mission Optometric Center for guidance and care.

Why Early Intervention Is Critical

Your eyes are delicate and essential to your quality of life. Delaying care during an emergency can lead to complications that may affect your long-term vision.

• Relieve pain and discomfort: Many eye emergencies are extremely painful. Immediate treatment helps reduce pain while addressing the underlying cause.

• Prevent permanent damage: Many eye conditions, when treated quickly, can be resolved with little to no lasting impact - but delaying care increases the risk of complications and long-term vision loss.

• Avoid infection spread: Certain infections can worsen quickly and threaten your vision if not managed early with the proper medication.

• Protect your overall health: In some cases, eye emergencies are linked to underlying health issues such as diabetes or high blood pressure, which may also require medical attention.
  
  

Why See Your Optometrist?

While the emergency room may seem like the first stop for any health issue, optometrists are specifically trained and equipped to handle urgent eye problems. At Mission Optometric Center, our optometrists provide the specialized care needed to diagnose and treat eye emergencies effectively.

We use advanced diagnostic technology that allows us to quickly identify the cause of your symptoms and begin the appropriate treatment right away. Unlike general physicians, optometrists focus exclusively on eye health, offering a depth of expertise that ensures you receive the most accurate and targeted care possible.

In addition to specialized knowledge, we provide convenient and timely access to care, helping you avoid the long wait times often associated with emergency rooms. Because we already have your eye health history, we can also ensure continuity of care, monitoring your recovery closely and making adjustments as needed.

When a situation requires more advanced medical or surgical treatment, we coordinate directly with trusted ophthalmologists and other specialists. This seamless approach ensures that you receive the right level of care at every stage, without unnecessary delays.

Partner with Mission Optometric Center for Urgent Eye Care

Eye emergencies can be stressful, but having a trusted provider nearby makes all the difference. We are proud to serve patients in San Juan Capistrano and the surrounding communities, offering urgent eye care when you need it most.

​​​​​​​If you’re experiencing an eye emergency, contact Mission Optometric Center right away for immediate care.