Eye Emergencies in Great Falls

Eye Emergencies in Great Falls

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

(703) 759-0061

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 Great Falls Eyecare for emergency eye care.

Our Great Falls optometrists can help you preserve your vision and eye health.

eye emergency treated at Great Falls Eyecare

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 Great Falls 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 Great Falls as soon as possible.

Patient Reviews
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108 Reviews
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- Jun. 20, 2024
Dr. Runke is great! Highly recommend!
- Jun. 14, 2024
Dr. Runke is thorough with a gentle nature symbiotically merging historical experiences with predict... ive analytics.
- Mar. 26, 2024
Dr. Runke provided a thorough eye exam as always. Staff are friendly and helpful. I highly recommend... Dr. Runke and Great Falls Eyecare!
- Feb. 21, 2024
My wife and I have been at this Great Falls eye are for over 20 years. Wonderful staff, they are fri... endly and knowledgeable. This eye care is very clean and has a variety of glasses to choose, I would recommend to anyone who needs an eye care.
- Feb. 06, 2024
I have received top quality eye care at Great Falls Eyecare for over 10 years now! The doctors are ... expert and professional, listen to you and very patiently answer your questions. I highly recommend this practice!
- Feb. 03, 2024
Been coming here since we moved to Great Falls in the ‘90’s. Drs Runke and Anderson are thorough... and take the time to listen to your concerns. They also explain why they do the various tests they perform. I’ve even stayed with them and paid out of pocket when my employer changed its insurance and no longer included this practice. Highly recommend!
- Jan. 06, 2024
Thank you Dr. Runke for great service I received from you and staff.
- Jan. 05, 2024
Great staff and the doctors are friendly and informative. If you have questions they answer them unt... il you have no more and they give it to you straight.
- Dec. 29, 2023
Incredibly friendly and welcoming staff - Dr. Runke even sent a personalized thank you card. Incredi... bly thoughtful and great service.
- Dec. 20, 2023
I am very happy to have landed an appointment with Dr. Runke. All testing and results were thoroughl... y explained.
- Dec. 03, 2023
Professional, courageous and great service
- Oct. 25, 2023
I have been seeing Dr. Runke for several years. I really enjoy working with the whole team at Great ... Falls Eyecare. Dr. Runke has so much expertise, I feel privileged to have her taking care of my eyes.
- Oct. 24, 2023
Dr. Runke was attentive and competent. She conducted a thorough exam and provided new eyeglass presc... riptions for which the glasses are being made .i recommend Great falls highly.
- Oct. 21, 2023
Dr. Runke is a wonderful optometrist who takes the time to really understand your needs. Up todate t... ecnology and a comprehensive exam. She is far superior to my previous optometrist. The staff is also lovely - warm and professional. I highly recommend this practice.
- Oct. 21, 2023
I had a great experience with the team at Great Falls Eye Care. From the moment I walked in to the m... oment I left, everyone was professional, kind, and helpful. I can't wait to get my new glasses, and I'll definitely be a repeat customer.
- Oct. 18, 2023
Perfection.
- Oct. 11, 2023
Wonderful eye care practice! Thorough exams, prescribed a brilliant prescription so that I can see f... ar and read without readers. So thankful and grateful!
- Sep. 23, 2023
Excellent service and staff! Doctors are very patient explaining you in detail what is going on and... any question you have . Thank you very much Great Falls Eye Center!
- Aug. 20, 2023
Dr. Anderson, Jodi, and the receptionists were all great in every aspect! Best experience I've had a... t an optometrist.
- Jul. 31, 2023
We have been patients of Dr. Runke for more than 20 years. After a recent move to Miami, we still co... me back to see her. And it's worth it.

View All 108 Reviews

Urgent Eye Care in Great Falls

Our optometry practice in Great Falls

Photograph of Lisa Anderson
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Saturday Please call office for hours.
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Medicare Part B
  • United Healthcare
  • VSP

Woman with red eyes holding her head

Have an eye emergency?

Protect your vision by contacting Great Falls Eyecare in Great Falls without delay!

(703) 759-0061