Emergency Eye Care in Ottawa: What to Do and Where to Go

Short answer: If you have sudden vision loss, an eye injury, a chemical splash, or severe eye pain, treat it as an emergency — call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room now. For urgent-but-not-emergency problems — a red or painful eye, something stuck in the eye, sudden floaters or flashes — call us right away; optometrists can assess and manage many urgent eye conditions, often same-day, and we'll tell you immediately if you need the ER instead.

Is it an emergency? Go to the ER or call 911 if you have:

• Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
• A chemical splash in the eye (flush with saline or eye wash solution for 15+ minutes on the way)
• A penetrating injury or an object stuck in the eyeball — do not try to remove it
• Severe eye pain with nausea or vomiting
• Eye trauma with bleeding inside the eye or a change in the shape of the pupil
• Sudden double vision with weakness, slurred speech, or a severe headache (this can be a medical emergency beyond the eye)

Urgent — call us right away (we can often see you the same day)

Many urgent eye problems are exactly what optometrists handle. Contact the clinic promptly if you have:

• A red, irritated or painful eye, or light sensitivity
• Something stuck in the eye (a lash, grit, metal, sawdust)
• A sudden increase in floaters, flashes of light, or a shadow/curtain across your vision — this needs a prompt exam to rule out a retinal tear or detachment
• A scratch or abrasion, or pain after wearing contact lenses
• A stye, swollen lid, or eye infection (redness, discharge, crusting)
• A sudden change in vision that isn't improving

Seeing an optometrist first often spares you a long emergency-room wait — and if it turns out you need hospital or specialist care, we coordinate that quickly.

What to do right now

• Don't rub the eye, and don't remove an object that's embedded.
• Chemical splash: flush immediately with clean lukewarm water for at least 15 minutes, then get emergency care.
• Blow to the eye: apply a cold compress gently (no pressure) and get it checked.
• Contact-lens pain: take the lenses out and don't put them back in until you've been seen.
• Note when it started and any symptoms — it helps us triage fast.

How to reach us fast

• Call the nearest clinic — numbers are on our contact page, or call Merivale at (613) 226-8446. Tell reception it's urgent and describe what happened.
• Book online at Merivale, Wellington, or Woodward — then call to flag that it's urgent so we can prioritize you.
• After hours: for a true eye emergency, the Emergency Department at the Ottawa Hospital (General campus) has ophthalmology on call.

Frequently asked questions

Can an optometrist treat an eye emergency?
Optometrists assess and manage many urgent eye conditions — red eye, foreign bodies, abrasions, infections, and sudden floaters/flashes. For sight-threatening trauma, chemical burns, or sudden vision loss, go to the ER.

Do you take same-day urgent appointments?
Often, yes — availability varies by day and clinic, and our Woodward location usually has the most openings. Call first so we can get you in quickly. See our guide to walk-in & same-day eye exams.

My child hit their eye / has something in it — what should I do?
Don't let them rub it, don't remove an embedded object, and call us (or go to the ER for a significant injury). We see children for urgent eye concerns too.

Medical Disclaimer

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice or a substitute for professional care. In an emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department. If you're unsure how serious an eye problem is, call us and we'll help you decide.