Providing Expert Care For Every Kind of Eye Emergency
Rutland Optometry is committed to providing quality, fast-acting care to our patients who are dealing with unresolved eye emergencies.
If you are experiencing an eye emergency, it is crucial that you contact our office right away. If your situation requires immediate medical attention, we recommend visiting our office as soon as you can. The quicker you address an eye emergency, the more effective your treatment will be.
If our office is closed, please go to your nearest emergency room.
Prevention Is Your Best Defence
Taking proactive steps to protect your eyes is the most effective way to avoid eye emergencies and their potential complications. By investing in the right safety eyewear, you can significantly reduce the risk of accidents that may lead to serious issues.
Explore our extensive range of specialty eyewear designed to shield your eyes from various hazards, including blunt force impacts, scratches, cuts, and foreign objects.
Common Eye Emergencies & What to Do
It is important to seek medical attention immediately if you encounter any of the following eye emergencies.
We will assess your condition promptly and help you receive the appropriate treatment tailored to your individual needs. Your eye health is our priority, and we’re here to help you every step of the way.
Small particles and objects such as dust, dirt, and sand can get into your eyes and cause an irritated and scratchy feeling. If you get a small foreign object caught in your eyes, you should:
- Wash your hands thoroughly, then try to flush the object out of your eye with a gentle stream of clean, lukewarm water. You can use a small, clean drinking glass positioned so it is resting on the bone at the base of your eye socket to make this process easier.
- If you wear contact lenses, it’s best to remove them before or while you rinse the surface of the eye with water. Sometimes, a foreign body can get stuck to the lens’s undersurface.
- If the object does not dislodge, becomes embedded, or pain persists for more than 24 hours, you should visit Rutland Optometry for treatment from one of our eye doctors.
If a larger foreign object, such as glass or metal, is embedded in your eye, it should not be touched, and you should seek immediate medical attention.
While working, playing sports, or just performing your daily routine, your eye may become scratched or cut due to an external injury. When your eye is cut or scratched, you should:
- Gently apply a clean cold compress to your eye. This helps reduce swelling and stop any bleeding. Do not try to overexert pressure to control any bleeding.
- If blood begins pooling in your eye, cover both of your eyes with a clean cloth or sterile dressing.
- Seek medical help right away.
Blunt trauma occurs due to being hit or impacted in the eye. This likely will result in a black eye and other injuries to the surrounding area of the eye. If you are struck in the eye, try to:
- Gently apply a cold compress on the affected area to reduce pain and swelling.
- Not overexert pressure on the affected area.
- Contact Rutland Optometry immediately if a black eye, pain, or visual disturbance occurs even after being hit. Even mild trauma can cause retinal detachment.
The most common way to receive chemical injuries is being overexposed to harmful gasses or liquids and not wearing proper safety eyewear. Chemical injuries from exposure to an alkali (a chemical that can dissolve in water) are typically more detrimental and common than exposure to an acid. If you are currently experiencing a chemical burn or injury, you should:
- Always seek immediate medical attention. Chemical injuries cannot be treated by home remedies alone.
- Flush the affected eye with a gentle stream of cool tap water right away. Turn your head so the injured eye is down and to the side, then hold your eyelid open and allow clean water to flush your eye for 15 minutes.
- If both eyes have been affected, or if the chemicals splashed onto other parts of the body, take a shower and flush your eyes.
- If applicable, remove your contacts after flushing your eyes if they have not fallen out already.
The most common type of infection our patients deal with is conjunctivitis (pink eye). This infection can be viral, bacterial, or allergic, so treatment can vary depending on the specifics of your situation.
Most forms of pink eye disappear on their own, but in severe cases, you may need to take antibiotics. If you are experiencing any symptoms of conjunctivitis, do not hesitate to:
- Seek medical attention from one of our eye doctors.
- Apply a clean compress to your eyes. Generally, a cool compress will feel the most soothing, but you can also use a warm compress if you prefer. If you are only being affected in one eye, make sure you avoid touching both eyes with the same cloth—this reduces the risk of spreading the infection from one eye to the other.
- Try over-the-counter eye drops. Artificial tears may relieve some symptoms of pink eye and, at the least, keep your eye moist. Eye drops that contain antihistamines, or other types of medication may be able to help you if you have allergic conjunctivitis.
- Stop wearing contact lenses, as they can cause further irritation and may become contaminated if worn while dealing with conjunctivitis.
We’re Here When You Need Us
At Rutland Optometry, your eye health is our top priority. If you’re experiencing an eye emergency—whether it’s a sudden loss of vision, eye injury, or severe discomfort—don’t hesitate to reach out.
Contact us immediately for emergency eye care, and let us help protect your vision.
Why Choose Us
Eyewear That Fits Your Style & Needs
With decades of experience in the community, we’re your local destination for eyewear. Whether you’re looking for classic frames or trendy sunglasses, our team is your guide to finding the look and fit that suits your unique lifestyle.
Thanks to our on-site lens edger, we can craft your lenses with precision and offer same-day service for most single-vision lenses.
Giving Back to the Community: One World Two Eyes
We believe in giving back to those in need. Dr. Sunil Parekh proudly joined One World Two Eyes in 2024, a non-profit organization that provides essential eye care services to children in underserved communities worldwide.
By supporting One World Two Eyes, we’re helping make a positive impact on the lives of children who may not have access to the eye care they need.
Protecting Your Child’s Vision: Myopia Management
Nearsightedness (myopia) is on the rise, affecting more children than ever before. By slowing progressive myopia, we can help preserve their long-term eye health and vision.
At Rutland Optometry, we want to help kids succeed. Our comprehensive myopia management can help your child achieve their full potential in and out of the classroom.
From Providing Eyewear to Eye Care
From Providing Eyewear to Eye Care
Our Location
Our office is conveniently located just minutes from Highway 93 on Highway 33 in the heart of Rutland. Find us inside Willow Park Mall, with ample parking just outside our doors.
Our Address
- 3-590 Hwy 33 W
- Kelowna, BC V1X 6A8
Contact Information
- Phone: 250-868-3480
- Email: [email protected]
Hours of Operation
Our Eyewear Collection
Our Reviews
Check Out Our Blogs
Are Eyes Styes Caused By Stress?
Eye HealthStress is a common contributor to the development of eye styes, as it can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to infections. […]
What Happens If You Use Expired Eye Drops?
Eye Drops, Eye HealthWhen caring for our eyes, we often turn to eye drops to relieve dryness, redness, or other discomforts. They’re easy to use, accessible, and widely recommended for various eye conditions. But once your eye drops have expired, it’s time to toss the bottle because expired eye drops could lead to complications. How long the eye […]
What Is High Myopia?
MyopiaWhen vision challenges arise, it’s natural to feel a mix of concern and curiosity about what it means for your health or your child’s. Learning about vision health is the first step to empowering your family to make informed choices. High myopia is a severe form of nearsightedness (myopia) where the eye’s structure grows abnormally […]
Are Eyes Styes Caused By Stress?
Stress is a common contributor to the development of eye styes, as it can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to infections. […]
What Happens If You Use Expired Eye Drops?
When caring for our eyes, we often turn to eye drops to relieve dryness, redness, or other discomforts. They’re easy to use, accessible, and widely recommended for various eye conditions. But once your eye drops have expired, it’s time to toss the bottle because expired eye drops could lead to complications. How long the eye […]
What Is High Myopia?
When vision challenges arise, it’s natural to feel a mix of concern and curiosity about what it means for your health or your child’s. Learning about vision health is the first step to empowering your family to make informed choices. High myopia is a severe form of nearsightedness (myopia) where the eye’s structure grows abnormally […]
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Our Address
- 3-590 Hwy 33 W
- Kelowna, BC V1X 6A8
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