Foreign objects or stabbing pains in your eye? Don’t wait!
Eye Emergencies in Westside
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 Memorial Eye Center - Wilcrest for emergency eye care.
Our Westside optometrists can help you preserve your vision and eye health.
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
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
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
Symptoms of an eye infection typically include itching, burning, redness, crusty and watery eyes. See a Westside eye doctor if your symptoms last over 4 days or if you experience intense pain, redness, blurred vision or light sensitivity.
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, you may scratch your cornea while attempting to get an object out which can cause further sight-threatening complications.
So the best thing you can do in this kind of eye emergency is to get to your eye doctor in Westside as soon as possible.
Meet our Eye Doctors
Linh Khong O.D.
Linh Khong, O.D., received her Doctor of Optometry from the University of Houston College of Optometry in 2001, completing clinical rotations in Neuro-Ophthalmology, Cornea/Anterior Segment, and Primary Care Optometry at Randolph Air Force…
Kim To O.D.
Languages:
English, Spanish, Vietnamese
- Accepting New Patients
- Family Friendly
- In Person Appointments
- Professional Certification
A lifelong Houstonian, Dr. Kim attended the University of Houston for her undergraduate studies, where she received a bachelor of science, magna cum laude, before going on to earn her doctorate of optometry, with honors, from the…
Patient Reviews
4.8
583 Reviews
Anibal D. - Aug 4, 2026
Professional, effective and quick eye care services.
Naji A. - Jul 30, 2026
I have been wearing glasses and dealing with vision care for more than 18 years, and I can honestly ... Show Moresay that I have never met a doctor Kim-Van Chau, as exceptional as this wonderful eye doctor. From the moment I met her, I was impressed by her professionalism, knowledge, patience, and genuine care for her patients.
She took the time to listen carefully, explain everything clearly, and make sure I felt comfortable and confident throughout the entire process. Her kindness, attention to detail, and dedication truly make her stand out.
After all these years, I can confidently say that she is one of the best eye doctors I have ever seen. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for an excellent, caring, and highly professional eye doctor. Thank you, Doctor, for your outstanding care and for treating me with such kindness and respect!
Naji
Urgent Eye Care in Westside
Have an eye emergency?
Protect your vision by contacting Memorial Eye Center - Wilcrest in Westside without delay!