Eye Emergencies in St. Louis

Eye Emergencies in St. Louis

Foreign objects or stabbing pains in your eye? Don’t wait!

(314) 423-2010

Experiencing a stab of pain in your eye?

Sudden changes in vision? Images appearing faded, blurry or foggy?

Got chemicals or another foreign object or substance in your eye?

Come visit Crown Vision Center - St. Ann for emergency eye care.

Our St. Louis optometrists can help you preserve your vision and eye health.

eye emergency treated at Crown Vision Center - St. Ann

We understand that accidents happen.

Our optometrists know exactly what to do to help you through your eye care emergency.

Whether it’s a workplace accident, an at-home incident, or some other emergency requiring immediate attention, we’re here to help you preserve your eye health and sight!


What To Do If You Have an Eye Emergency

close-up of eye

First things first. Don’t panic! Staying calm is the best way to help you think straight and help those around you to remain calm. Often, it’s not necessary to go to an emergency room for eye emergencies. In fact, the vast majority of people who go to the emergency room for eye care could have received treatment from their local optometrist instead.

If you’re unsure whether you’re experiencing an eye emergency, give us a call immediately! Delay may increase the risk of serious complications and may result in vision loss.

Until you see your eye doctor or seek urgent care, avoid the following:

  • Don’t try to remove an embedded object out of your eye
  • If your eye is injured, don't press on it or rub it
  • Dry cotton and sharp instruments such as tweezers should never be used on the eye.

Whether you've had a workplace accident or an at-home incident, our eye doctors are here to help


Eye Emergencies FAQs

What is considered an eye emergency?

Eye emergencies are anything that may cause permanent damage to your eyes or vision without timely intervention from an eye care professional.

The most common types of eye emergencies include:

  • A blow, poke or other trauma to the eye
  • Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
  • Chemical spills in the eye
  • Foreign object embedded in the eye
  • Sudden appearance of light flashes or floaters
  • Contact lens lost in the eye
Does an eye infection require urgent care?

Symptoms of an eye infection typically include itching, burning, redness, crusty and watery eyes. See a St. Louis eye doctor if your symptoms last over 4 days or if you experience intense pain, redness, blurred vision or light sensitivity.

What should I do if a foreign object enters my eye?

Most of the time, a person can easily remove debris from the eye by repeatedly blinking to get the debris out. If that doesn't work, you can wash your eye with saline (sterile salt water) to flush out any dust and dirt from your eye, or use streaming tap water.

However, to scratch your cornea while attempting to get an object out which can cause further site-threatening complications.

So the best thing you can do in this kind of eye emergency is to get to your eye doctor in St. Louis as soon as possible.


Meet our Eye Emergencies Specialist

Patient Reviews
4.6
330 Reviews
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- Feb. 23, 2025
Positive
- Feb. 04, 2025
Nothing but good!
- Jan. 28, 2025
Great Dr and the people are really nice .
- Jan. 25, 2025
The staff was very attentive and thorough in making sure that I was completely satisfied.
- Jan. 25, 2025
The entire staff is awesome. Everyone is so nice. Cindy was very patient when she was assisting me w... ith picking out a frame. I love my new glasses.
- Jan. 08, 2025
The staff at this Crown Vision is so polite and helpful, and made everything so easy.
- Dec. 16, 2024
Friendly and informative staff paired with great service
- Dec. 13, 2024
Great experience! They got me in much quicker than any other eye exam place. The doctor was really i... nformative. Staff was really kind as well.
- Dec. 12, 2024
I will never go anywhere else for eyewear. I was assisted by Cindy on this visit, and Darrah in the... past. Doesn’t get any better !!
- Dec. 08, 2024
I have always had a warm, friendly experience at this eye center. The staff are professional and kno... wledgeable, and are willing to discuss your questions and concerns.
- Dec. 06, 2024
I personally appreciate that they are all professional, friendly and timely with their service. Both... my daughters got eye exams and prescription glasses here.
- Nov. 21, 2024
The staff has always been professional, pleasant and easy to work with. I have never had any problem... s whenever I visit for my yearly eye exam.
- Oct. 27, 2024
Everyone was super friendly and smiling! (so rare these days) The doctor and the staff all answered... my questions with no hesitations. I ordered glasses and contacts, and all of them arrived earlier than promised. Thank you for being such a great example of customer service!
- Sep. 15, 2024
Just good service and friendly people! Love my glasses ! 👓
- Aug. 17, 2024
They were very good and patient with my 2 young Autistic children.
- Aug. 16, 2024
The staff is extremely attentive and goes the extra mile to ensure you are satisfied with your purch... ase. They are also patient with kids who are indecisive about making a choice on which glasses to choose. Their service is unmatched.
- Aug. 15, 2024
I always receive excellent customer service by phone and in person at the St. Ann location! Great j... ob!
- Jul. 24, 2024
My experience was very good. I've been other places and they've been terrible. So yeah we'll be comi... ng back🙂
- Jun. 12, 2024
Absolutely love this locating and the staff. They’re all so willing to help and assist as soon as ... you walk in the door. They’re polite when it comes to explaining things and offer a wide array of glasses. They don’t rush your appointment and give you time to get any questions answered. I’ve been for both me and my 4yo and we both were treated gracefully. I will definitely recommend this location to anyone needing an exam or glasses
- May. 26, 2024
Dr. Mark Wade examined both my eyes told me had cataract in both eyes. I had surgery done successful... ly now have heathy vision in both eyes. Thank you Dr. Mark Wade and staff with new sight and glasses.

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Urgent Eye Care in St. Louis

Our optometry practice in St. Louis

Photograph of Mark  Wade
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • Medicaid
  • Anthem
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • EyeMed
  • Blue Cross

Woman with red eyes holding her head

Have an eye emergency?

Protect your vision by contacting Crown Vision Center - St. Ann in St. Louis without delay!

(314) 423-2010