Eye emergency? Here’s what to do.

If this is a true medical emergency — such as a chemical burn, an eye injury, or sudden loss of vision — call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. For urgent eye symptoms that are not life-threatening, call (717) 637-1919 during working hours and we will see you the same day or next day.

The classic warning signs are a sudden increase in floaters, flashes of light, and a dark curtain or shadow spreading across your field of vision. If you have sudden vision loss or believe this is a true medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. For urgent eye symptoms during working hours, call (717) 637-1919 and we will see you the same day or next day.

A few floaters are common and usually harmless, but a sudden shower of new floaters — especially with flashes of light — can signal a retinal tear or detachment. If it is accompanied by sudden vision loss, treat it as an emergency and call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Otherwise, call (717) 637-1919 during working hours to be seen the same day or next day.

A chemical splash is a medical emergency. Immediately flush the eye with clean water or saline for at least 15 minutes, holding the eyelids open, then call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room — chemical burns are time-critical, especially with strong acids or alkalis such as drain or oven cleaner. Call (717) 637-1919 during working hours for any follow-up eye care.

Most red eyes are not emergencies. A red eye with severe pain, sudden vision loss, or a recent injury may be urgent — if you believe it is a true emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Otherwise, call (717) 637-1919 during working hours and we will see you the same day or next day. If you wear contact lenses and have a painful red eye, remove the lens.

Sudden vision loss can be caused by serious conditions such as a retinal detachment, a blocked retinal blood vessel, or acute glaucoma. Treat sudden vision loss as a medical emergency: call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. For urgent but non-emergency eye symptoms during working hours, call (717) 637-1919 to be seen the same day or next day.

Do not rub or press on the eye, and do not try to remove an embedded object. Shield the eye (a paper cup taped over it works). For any significant blow, cut, or penetrating injury, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. For minor irritation, call (717) 637-1919 during working hours to be seen the same day or next day.

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for any true medical emergency — a chemical burn, a penetrating eye injury, or sudden severe vision loss — at any time of day or night. The office line (717) 637-1919 is for reaching us during working hours; when you call, we will see you the same day or next day for urgent eye concerns.

Outside of working hours, the office number (717) 637-1919 redirects to the doctor on call for urgent eye concerns. For a true medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room at any time. Routine matters such as prescription refills can wait until working hours.