Same-Day Emergency Eye Care in Edmonton, St. Albert & Morinville
Sudden eye pain, redness, flashes or an injury? We see urgent eye concerns fast, often the same day.
If something is wrong with your eyes, you do not need to wait or sit in the ER. Our optometrists assess, diagnose and treat many urgent eye problems, and can prescribe medication when you need it.
- Same-day urgent appointments
- Optometrists who can prescribe
- Often faster than the ER
- Six Edmonton-area locations
What Counts as an Eye Emergency?
Eye problems can come on suddenly, and it is not always obvious how serious they are. Many urgent concerns, like pain, redness, a foreign body, or new flashes and floaters, can be assessed and treated by an optometrist, often without a trip to the emergency room.
Acting quickly matters. Some concerns are uncomfortable but minor, while others can threaten your vision if they are not treated promptly. When you are not sure, it is always safer to have your eyes checked.
Our optometrists have the training and equipment to examine the front and back of your eye, find the cause, and start treatment, or arrange an urgent referral if specialist or hospital care is needed.
Get Same-Day Care if You Have
- Sudden eye pain
- A red, painful or pink eye
- Something stuck in your eye (a foreign body)
- A scratch or corneal abrasion
- New floaters or flashes of light
- A shadow or curtain over your vision
- Sudden blurred or lost vision
- An eye injury from sport, work or an accident
- Painful light sensitivity
- An eye infection, stye or discharge
- Contact lens pain, redness or infection
- A welding or UV flash burn
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for a chemical burn, a penetrating eye injury, sudden complete loss of vision, or severe trauma. For a chemical splash, begin flushing the eye right away with clean running water and seek emergency help. For all other urgent eye concerns, call your nearest Capital Vision Care clinic.
Quick Questions
Should I go to the ER or an optometrist?
For most urgent eye problems an optometrist can see you faster and is trained specifically for eye care. For chemical burns, penetrating injuries or sudden total vision loss, go to the ER or call 911.
How quickly can I be seen?
We keep same-day appointments for urgent concerns. Call your nearest clinic and our team will get you in as soon as possible.
Is emergency eye care covered in Alberta?
Alberta Health partially covers medically necessary and urgent eye care for many conditions. Bring your Alberta Health card and our team can explain what is covered.
Get Same-Day Eye Care Near You
Capital Vision Care has six Edmonton-area clinics with same-day urgent appointments. Call the location nearest you, or book online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered an eye emergency?
Any sudden change to your eyes or vision, including pain, redness, a foreign body, flashes, floaters, a shadow over your vision, an injury, or sudden blur. When in doubt, call us and we will help you decide how urgent it is.
Do I need an appointment for urgent eye care?
Call ahead so we can triage your concern and have you seen as quickly as possible. Calling first also means the right equipment and optometrist are ready for you.
Can an optometrist treat an eye infection?
Yes. Our optometrists diagnose and treat many eye infections, including pink eye and styes, and can prescribe medication when it is needed.
What should I do if I get something in my eye?
Do not rub your eye. Blink and rinse gently with clean water or saline, and call us. Do not try to remove anything embedded in the eye, and seek emergency care for a penetrating injury.
What should I do for a chemical splash in my eye?
Begin flushing the eye right away with plenty of clean running water and seek emergency medical help immediately. Chemical burns are time-sensitive, so do not wait.
Can you remove a foreign object from my eye?
In many cases, yes. Optometrists routinely remove surface foreign bodies and metal fragments and treat the resulting irritation. Deeper or penetrating objects are referred for emergency care.
My contacts are hurting my eye, what should I do?
Remove the lens, do not put it back in, and call us. Pain, redness or blurred vision with contact lenses can signal an infection that needs prompt treatment.
Will my eyes be dilated during an urgent visit?
Sometimes. Dilation lets your optometrist examine the retina, which is important after flashes, floaters or trauma. Your vision may be blurry and light-sensitive for a few hours.
Related Services
Eye Emergency? Do Not Wait.
Call your nearest Capital Vision Care clinic for same-day care across Edmonton, St. Albert and Morinville. For a chemical burn, penetrating injury or sudden vision loss, call 911.
Sources and Further Reading
Helpful references for urgent eye concerns: