Some eye problems are emergencies. Treatment within hours can save your sight. Learn the warning signs, so you know when not to wait.
Do not wait for a clinic appointment. If you have sudden loss of vision, a curtain or shadow over your vision, a very painful red eye, or worsening pain after eye surgery or an eye injection, go to the hospital Emergency Department now.
Warning signs to act on today
- Sudden blurred vision or loss of vision, in one or both eyes
- A shower of new floaters, flashes of light, or a dark curtain or shadow
- A very painful red eye, especially with headache, vomiting or rainbow haloes around lights
- Pain, redness and worse vision in the days after eye surgery or an eye injection
- Any injury to the eye, or chemicals in the eye (rinse with plenty of clean water first)
- Sudden double vision or a suddenly drooping eyelid
Acute conditions
Retinal Detachment
Flashes, new floaters or a curtain over your vision. The retina is peeling away and needs urgent surgery.
GlaucomaAcute Angle-Closure Glaucoma
Sudden severe eye pain, a red eye, blurred vision, headache and vomiting. Eye pressure rises very fast.
RetinaEndophthalmitis
A serious infection inside the eye, most often days after eye surgery or an eye injection.
Eye InjuriesEye Injuries
Blunt, sharp or chemical injuries to the eye. For chemicals, rinse with clean water for 15 minutes, then go to Emergency.
Not an emergency, but worried?
You can walk in to any Community Eye Clinic during office hours to see an eye doctor, no referral letter needed.
This page is for general education and does not replace advice from your own doctor.