Eye Emergencies in St. Louis

Eye Emergencies in St. Louis

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

(314) 352-5367

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 Crown Vision Center - Mackenzie for emergency eye care.

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

eye emergency treated at Crown Vision Center - Mackenzie

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. Louis 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. Louis as soon as possible.

Patient Reviews
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224 Reviews
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- Jul. 20, 2024
I had such a great experience at Crown Vision in Shrewsbury. First time here and excellent staff an... d doctor. Lauren is an amazing person and she went above & beyond helping me find the perfect size frame for my small face. I love my new glasses! I highly recommend Crown Vision on Watson.
- Jun. 30, 2024
Excellent.
- May. 29, 2024
The office was friendly and clean. They treated my eye health issue with care and empathy. I highly ... recommend this office and team. I can finally see out of my right eye after treatment and appreciate that these services are available.
- May. 13, 2024
This center has been so quick and so pleasant compared to anywhere I’ve been! I will definitely co... ntinue coming here!
- Apr. 10, 2024
Great Dr. and staff. I told them exactly what I needed and they were super helpful. I bought the fir... st pair they showed me 😁
- Feb. 19, 2024
Great service with friendly staff and quality products.
- Feb. 19, 2024
They went above and beyond to help me. I am vey thankful for their help and kindness!
- Jan. 26, 2024
Marsha and Lauren were so unbelievably helpful today! I've been a patient at this location for about... 5 years and hands down. This is the best service I've ever received! The optometrist is great, friendly, and quite approachable with questions and concerns. There is another lady whose brusque manner doesn't vibe with mine, and magically, she wasn't here today! I was able to get my exam, have a great selection of frames picked out for me, and be out the door in under 30 minutes. I can't wait to pick up my new frames! Thanks again Marsha and Lauren!
- Jan. 14, 2024
Very pleasant experience.
- Dec. 25, 2023
Dr. Alexa Kojima and her staff at Crown Vision were amazing from the moment we stepped into her busi... ness until we clarified our orders for our updated prescriptions. I had been searching for another OD since my previous one's company started over billing, incorrectly billing for covered procedures, and not being able to correct them with assistance from my insurance. It was frustrating to say the least. Dr. Kojima and Crown Vision has been a blessing. She acknowledged my distance vision improved and no longer required for driving...I stopped using my glasses due to fuzziness. The blurring vision was due to better eyesight and not decreased vision! Woohoo! My husband was checked for his cataract progress and was assured they were minor and would not require surgery any time in the near future...hereditary condition at a younger age runs in his family. He updated his readers and I updated my readers and contacts. No more dry eye and discomfort with wearing them! She listened to my concerns and found a brand version that allowed continuous moisture/breathing instead of having to use eye drops throughout the day. Thorough testing and knowledgeable staff makes Crown Vision and Dr. Alexa Karina our "go-to" OD from now onward!
- Dec. 08, 2023
Very helpful and didn't have to wait, took time to help with everything and explain everything to me... , awesome.
- Nov. 07, 2023
The service was smooth sailing. This is an organized business. They were professional and honest.
- Aug. 05, 2023
Staff were very friendly, supportive and helpful. Staff took time to answer questions and help me pi... ck out my first pair of glasses! Enjoyed my experience here and would recommend!
- Jul. 21, 2023
Outstanding experience! Everyone was very nice and wonderful to interact with. No upselling and pric... es are very reasonable. Thank you!
- Jun. 12, 2023
My first contact was with Sunny - and lives up to her name. What a ray of sunshine! Dr. Alexa was g... reat too. Best eyewear I've ever had. Love my glasses but most of all, love my Crown store! Sunny & Alexa are the Best!
- May. 06, 2023
The staff were very nice and helpful. They made sure I was happy with my glasses 🤓.
- Jan. 02, 2023
Everyone is so nice!
- Dec. 30, 2022
Everyone was so nice and welcoming. Dr. Kajima was kind and answered all of my questions. I wasn’t... pressured to buy glasses there either. I would recommend this place to anyone!
- Dec. 15, 2022
Been going here for a few years. Definitely recommend. Doctor is friendly and upbeat, staff is alway... s professional and friendly. Can't ask for more.
- Oct. 20, 2022
Staff was great. Extremely helpful and very friendly and informative. My glasses were ready for pick... up only 2 days after my exam. Definitely recommend!!!!!

View All 224 Reviews

Urgent Eye Care in St. Louis

Our optometry practice in St. Louis

Photograph of Alexa  Kojima
Hours
  • Monday 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • Medicaid
  • Anthem
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue Cross
  • MetLife

Woman with red eyes holding her head

Have an eye emergency?

Protect your vision by contacting Crown Vision Center - Mackenzie in St. Louis without delay!

(314) 352-5367