Emergency Optometrist
Do you have any eye health condition that requires immediate medical attention? Dr. Elmalem and Associates offer urgent and emergency eye care services in York Region.
Contact one of our clinics on the following emergency numbers: 905-830-1910 (Newmarket clinic) or 905-780-0250 (Richmond Hill clinic).
What is an Eye Care Emergency?
An ocular emergency is a situation that is recent / current that can potentially cause vision loss. Eye emergencies can be due to injuries like scratches, cuts, burns, blunt injuries to the eye/s or eyelid/s¹ or acute ocular health conditions like sudden persistent pain, uveitis or symptoms of retinal detachments (flashes and floater with or without new blurred vision).
Recent onset or adult onset diplopia/double vision can alter your ability to see and/or go on with regular daily activities and can often be a sign of serious neurological conditions. As a result, they require immediate attention from healthcare professionals.
Emergency Eye Care Services in York Region
Our emergency eye care services include:
1. Vision Loss Emergencies
If you experience sudden vision loss in one/both eyes,it may be an ocular emergency. There are many underlying causes of sudden loss of vision from severe migraines, retinal detachment to a stroke.
Optometrists are the first-line medical professionals to assess and investigate the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment. If required, our Optometrists at Dr. Elmalem and Associates will refer you to the correct eye specialist (ophthalmologist) in York Region.
2. Eye Trauma Emergencies
Although the eye has its own protective mechanisms, such as blinking, which can prevent foreign objects from entering, it is not designed as an impenetrable shield². Blinking will not prevent serious eye emergencies such as blunt force trauma from a forceful impact on the eye.
A fall, physical attack, or accidental hit can result in the need for urgent eye care services. If you suffer any form of eye trauma injury, such as foreign materials entering your eye, don’t put pressure on the area or attempt to remove anything that has punctured your eyes. Instead, cover your eye (without exerting pressure) and seek emergency eye care immediately. Depending on the degree of the emergency, it might be best to go directly to the ER. Please call our office for guidance.
3. Other Eye Care Emergencies
If you don’t know the underlying cause of an acute eye health issue, for example, you may not have vision loss, or eye trauma, please call one of our offices. Our trained staff will assist you by asking relevant questions to appropriately triage the situation.
We suggest that you contact us if you exhibit any of the following symptoms:
- Extreme sensitivity to light
- Decreased or blurred vision
- Persistent/ Sudden eye pain
- Redness, clots, or bloodshot eyes
- Severe itching
- Stinging/burning in the eyes
- Onset of floaters/flashes
- Sudden double vision
- Swelling
- Bleeding
Not Sure You Are Facing an Eyecare Emergency?
In some cases, it may not be clear if you need to head to the emergency room or seek emergency eye care services from providers like us. If that’s the case, don’t worry, we are here to assist you. Call our clinics at 905-830-1910 (Newmarket) or 905-780-0250 (Richmond Hill) and our trained staff will help determine the best approach. Our urgent eye care team is available 7 days a week to attend to any emergency queries.
We can manage many kinds of ocular emergencies. We will guide you according to your situation and recommend a trip to the emergency room if needed.
What NOT to Do During an Eye Emergency
Eyes are very sensitive structures. In the event of an emergency, doing the wrong thing can make your condition worse, resulting in vision loss and/or other serious consequences. What should you avoid during an eye emergency?
Research suggests you should avoid the following³:
- Rubbing the eyes
- Applying pressure to the eyes
- Attempting to remove foreign objects (in the case of penetrative trauma or foreign object stuck in the eye)
- Putting eye drops, ointment, or medication in your eye
- Attempting to remove contact lenses when your eye is injured
Preventing Eye Emergencies
To prevent ocular emergencies our professional recommendations are:
- Wear safety eyewear like goggles when engaging in activities that may cause injuries (yard work, sports, construction)
- Always supervise children when they are using sharp objects like knives and forks or when playing with projectile toys like darts that increase the risk of eye injury
- Use chemicals or cleaning agents only as directed
- Childproof your home to reduce children-related eye care emergencies
Visit Our Emergency Eye Clinic in York Region
Dr. Elmalem and Associates have Optometrists available 7 days a week. We accept walk-in patients/same-day appointments for eye emergencies to make sure help is readily available when you need it most. Contact us or visit our nearest emergency eye care clinic:
Richmond Hill Clinic: Hillcrest Mall: 9350 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada. L4C 5G2. Call us: 905-780-0250.
Newmarket clinic: Upper Canada Mall:17600 Yonge Street, Newmarket, Ontario. Canada. L3Y 4Z1. Call us: 905-830-1910.