Eye Emergencies in St. Augustine

Eye Emergencies in St. Augustine

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

Schedule Eye Exam

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!


Give Your Eyes the Care They Deserve

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


Urgent Eye Care in St. Augustine

Our optometry practice in St. Augustine

Photograph of James A.  Horning
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
  • Nov. 24 Closed
  • Dec. 25 Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Cigna
  • Superior Vision
  • Davis Vision
  • EyeMed
Patient Reviews
4.8
98 Reviews
5
4
3
2
1
- Nov. 08, 2023
Always friendly. Always thorough. Always professional.
- Oct. 25, 2023
In time, friendly and very efficient.
- Oct. 11, 2023
very professional, timely and helpful
- Oct. 11, 2023
They we're very quick to screen my daughter when I had concerns about her vision in school. They als... o were able to give the teachers wonderful tips on how to help her!
- Oct. 10, 2023
Came in for my yearly eye exam. From the time I walked in until I left I was pleased. Joe waited on ... me at the counter and gave me my paperwork, Taylor took me back and started all the tests, then Dr. Pearl and Amanda came in to do the testing. What a awesome experience. Everything was explained to me and when i did not understand it was ok. Joe then measured my eyes for my new glasses. Rowe deserves a high five for everything. Oh and the cleanliness of the office was great. I highly recommend Rowe.
- Sep. 30, 2023
The staff was friendly and professional. The Dr. was the best that I have seen in many years. She is... very knowledgeable. cares, took her time and explained everything.
- Sep. 29, 2023
Vision therapy at Rowe changed my Son's life. I am forever grateful.
- Sep. 15, 2023
The staff is cordial knowledgeable and helpful. Dr. Horning is fantastic and very thorough in his ey... e exams. I appreciate his input and his skill. The other day he gave me one of the most complete and thorough eye examinations and assessment are I’ve had in a long time.
- Sep. 14, 2023
Wonderful experience all around. Highly recommended. I’ll be back!
- Sep. 11, 2023
The whole atmosphere of the Rowe office is friendly and helpful. I had gone to a previous eye clinic... that was so busy the staff had no time for anyone. At Rowe they are with you from the moment you walk in till you leave.
- Sep. 02, 2023
Love this office…I’ve been going here for over twelve years…
- Aug. 23, 2023
I was seen quickly, Dr. Brown was thorough & professional, Jaci was the tech that did my work up and... did a great job! Best dr office experience ever!
- Aug. 12, 2023
Thank you Dr. Horning and to your friendly, knowledgeable staff for helping me with my recent eye em... ergency. I was scared, but they put me at ease.
- Jul. 19, 2023
Very through. Dr Brown did a number of tests and explained things as we went along. Final evaluati... on was in terms I could understand. Didn’t try and sell me glasses I didn’t need. Very happy with my experience there.
- Jul. 12, 2023
New staff new doctors and the service was awesome
- Jun. 23, 2023
Dr. Horning is both very knowledgeable and professional. He explains my condition concisely and hel... pfully.
- Jun. 17, 2023
Excellent patient care and courteous staff
- Jun. 09, 2023
Top notch facility. Very competent and professional. We are very happy with the services we receiv... ed here.
- Jun. 02, 2023
Great place to get eye care services.
- May. 26, 2023
Dr. Horning is professional, thorough, and great at what he does. The office is well run. I feel ver... y confident in the care I receive at Rowe Family Eye Care.

View All 98 Reviews

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.


Woman with red eyes holding her head

Have an eye emergency?

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

Schedule Eye Exam