Eye Emergencies in St. Augustine

Eye Emergencies in St. Augustine

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

(904) 824-0212

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 Rowe Family EyeCare for emergency eye care.

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

eye emergency treated at Rowe Family 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 St. Augustine 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. Augustine as soon as possible.


Patient Reviews
4.8
258 Reviews
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4
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- Sep. 09, 2025
Great staff and service! Very clean and friendly environment.
- Sep. 06, 2025
Very personable friendly and professional
- Sep. 03, 2025
Rowe Family Eye Care was recommended to us by a friend. We couldn't have asked for a better place! M... y 8yr old daughter was due for her checkup and Dr. Brown took great care of her! The front desk and staff were so accommodating, compassionate and caring! They went out of their wat to contact my insurance and figure out the discrepancies that were one fix of a number! I will be scheduling an exam for myself! Would highly recommend this office to any and every one!
- Aug. 13, 2025
Very professional and efficient, yet still friendly.
- Aug. 13, 2025
If I could give 6 stars I would! I came in for a second opinion regarding an issue with my eye. Dr M... attox was very thorough and explained everything to me. She eased my mind and provided a treatment plan for my eye condition. The staff are very friendly. Minimal wait time, clean office. Thank you Rowe Family Eye Care!
- Aug. 09, 2025
Super friendly from front to back. Was able to make a next day appointment no problem. My regular ey... e doctor said they were booked out for two months. It’s clean and they have all the fancy machines. So this is my new eye doctor.
- Jul. 31, 2025
Dr Brown is super knowledgeable and funny! The whole team there make you feel like one of family!
- Jul. 14, 2025
Dr Brown is awesome.
- Jun. 27, 2025
Very thorough and trustworthy information given.
- Jun. 26, 2025
Brei and Morgan were so wonderful. They were all so accommodating and Dr.Mattox was absolutely amazi... ng.
- Jun. 26, 2025
Professional, efficient, friendly.
- Jun. 25, 2025
Fixed my glasses during their lunch break! Thanks Rowe
- Jun. 25, 2025
Friendly and professional
- Jun. 10, 2025
Great Service!
- Jun. 08, 2025
Nice people and great service. Appreciated how quickly I was able to get in for an appt.
- Jun. 03, 2025
Dr. Sierra Mattox and the sweet administrator that checked me out after my appointment were not only... amazing but were extremely informative not only answered all my questions but went over and beyond to make sure what I needed for further treatment was taken care of. Thank you ladies for a 10 star appointment:)
- May. 31, 2025
Great service & updated equipment all the staff helpful & Dr Maddox so nice to work with Glad i f... ound Rowe Family eye Care It’s a perfect fit for me Thank you all for the assistance with my eye care , glad I found you in St Augustine
- May. 26, 2025
Dr Mattox at Rowes’s eye care was wonderful. She was friendly and professional and was spot on wi... th my contact prescription.
- May. 23, 2025
I have nothing but great things to say about Rowe Family Eye Care! I was dealing with daily eye stra... in and headaches. After working with Dr. Brown, Patrice, and Kathy, those issues are gone. They were professional, efficient, and actually helped fix the problems. Highly recommend.
- May. 09, 2025
Our experience with the eye therapy specialist for ADHD has been absolutely incredible. The sessions... are engaging, supportive, and tailored perfectly to our child’s unique needs.

View All 258 Reviews

Urgent Eye Care in St. Augustine

Our optometry practice in St. Augustine

Photograph of Austin Taylor
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Cigna
  • Superior Vision
  • Davis Vision
  • EyeMed

Woman with red eyes holding her head

Have an eye emergency?

Protect your vision by contacting Rowe Family EyeCare in St. Augustine without delay!

(904) 824-0212