Eye Emergencies in Tucson

Eye Emergencies in Tucson

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

(520) 296-4157

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 Alvernon Optical - Tanque Verde for emergency eye care.

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

eye emergency treated at Alvernon Optical - Tanque Verde

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 Tucson 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 Tucson as soon as possible.

Patient Reviews
4.9
255 Reviews
5
4
3
2
1
- Sep. 17, 2024
Friendly and efficient staff
- Sep. 05, 2024
Everyone is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. Dr. Peterson is an absolute joy, and I love havin... g her as my optometrist. I enjoy my visits so much every year that I pick out a new pair of frames every time. Ian has also been great at helping me pick out what frames best suit my face and match my style. Booking an appointment is easy, and most paperwork is done on a tablet. Although they don't have a huge selection of glasses frames, I've never had an issue of finding one I didn't like.
- Aug. 30, 2024
Dr. J. Lewis and Mary...both very professional, very helpful!
- Aug. 27, 2024
Very pleasant and professional. It was easy to schedule and find a time I needed. The staff were fri... endly and the doctor was very helpful and had great bedside manner. They broke down the insurance and what was covered and there was no pressure to buy anything.
- Jul. 21, 2024
Excellent staff: knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. I finally felt heard about a chronic symptom a... nd left with a plan that has worked! Appreciate this office and staff. Highly recommend their attentiveness.
- Jul. 05, 2024
This has been my go to for eye exams and glasses. Great staff!
- Jun. 29, 2024
Dr Lewis has been helping me with my eyes for going on 20 years now. I always look forward to my 10... to 15 minutes with him. He's great and I always get the best prescription for the time. When he moved to Alvernon Optical I went too. Picked up my new glasses today (Saturday) and everything is still wonderful. The new glasses cleaned up all the fuzziness and I couldn't be happier. He takes care of my wife’s eyes as well and when she started having cataract issues that went beyond what new glasses could do, he recommended the right people who fixed her up. It was a pleasure working with the rest of the office staff (manager, eye tech and opticians) as well.
- Jun. 26, 2024
Excellent vibes. Have had a great experience both times I've been. The exam receptionist is absolute... ly lovely and Dr Peterson has been super easy to work with. I trust what they tell me and feel very comfortable in the space. I would highly recommend this office
- May. 28, 2024
Having used another optical store previously, I visited Alvernon Optical's Tanque Verde office hopin... g for better services than what I had received before. With same-day appointments and reasonable prices, my wife and I were in and out quickly. Glasses were cheaper than at the other store, and were ready before the promised two-week delivery. One visit is not much to go on, but both of us were pleased with our first experience here.
- May. 19, 2024
The staff was very helpful and the turn around time for me new sunglasses was very quick.
- Apr. 09, 2024
Fantastic service. My glasses were falling off my face and bothering my eyes. They fixed all my glas... ses right away. Highly recommended.
- Mar. 21, 2024
Office was very clean and organized, and Dr. Lewis was well prepared with my retinal complication hi... story.
- Mar. 18, 2024
Wonderful, friendly staff. A very caring doctor. Definitely recommend!
- Mar. 18, 2024
Always friendly and considerate and on top of that they are competitive with the larger discount sto... res both locally and online, they truly deserve the 5***** rating they have !
- Mar. 09, 2024
I had just finished hiking at Sabino Canyon and then accidentally sat on my glasses. It was late Fri... day afternoon and I needed find a place to fix them. Alvernon was close by and reviews were great- now I'm adding mine! Sorry I don't have the staff person's name, but they were kind and skillful in realigning my glasses and cleaned the lenses, too! They did this with a smile! Although I didn't buy my glasses here, they were gracious to help with a complimentary service. Thank you! If I lived here, you would be my optical provider!
- Jan. 29, 2024
Top notch experience from start to finish. Hi highly recommended these folks for your eye care needs... .
- Jan. 23, 2024
Great location, got in for an appointment easily and everyone there was very friendly and helpful. D... r. Fuhr seemed to truly care about my vision.
- Jan. 23, 2024
From the time I walked in to the time I left, the staff and Dr. Fuhr were amazing, friendly and know... ledgeable.
- Jan. 12, 2024
Dr was very thorough! Explained everything in detail to where my 95 year old mother could understand... . Did a lot after we left to get the medication she needed at a reasonable price for her. Would give Alvernon Optical 20 stars if I could!
- Jan. 01, 2024
Best in town

View All 255 Reviews

Urgent Eye Care in Tucson

Our optometry practice in Tucson

Photograph of Jeffrey  Lewis
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Saturday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • Davis Vision
  • Avesis
  • Anthem
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • EyeMed
  • Blue Cross
  • MetLife

Woman with red eyes holding her head

Have an eye emergency?

Protect your vision by contacting Alvernon Optical - Tanque Verde in Tucson without delay!

(520) 296-4157