Eye Emergencies
Urgent eye concerns include sudden changes in vision, injuries or significant eye pain that need prompt professional attention. Westminster Eye Care Associates evaluates urgent eye concerns in Providence. Call the office for guidance rather than waiting for an online appointment. For a medical emergency, call 911 or seek emergency care.
Emergency Information
If you are experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
For urgent eye concerns, call Westminster Eye Care Associates at (401) 331-7850.
If you are experiencing a sudden eye injury, severe pain, or a significant change in your vision, this page can help you determine the appropriate next step — from calling our office to seeking emergency care.
Emergency Notice
If you are experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
For urgent eye concerns that are not immediately life-threatening, call Westminster Eye Care Associates at (401) 331-7850. Our team will help you determine the most appropriate course of action.
Call Our Office Promptly
The following symptoms should prompt you to call our office as soon as possible. They are not necessarily emergencies requiring a 911 call or emergency room visit, but they warrant professional evaluation without delay:
- New or significant redness or irritation
- Unusual discharge or crusting
- Contact lens discomfort that persists after removing the lens
- New floaters or flashes of light (especially if recent and sudden)
- A foreign body sensation that does not resolve after rinsing the eye
- Changes in vision that feel new or unusual to you
- Eye pain that is mild to moderate and not associated with major injury
Seek Immediate or Emergency Care
The following situations may require emergency care. If you are experiencing any of these, call 911, go to the nearest emergency department, or proceed to an urgent care facility equipped to handle eye injuries:
- Sudden, significant loss of vision in one or both eyes
- Severe eye pain, especially following an injury
- Chemical exposure — a substance has splashed into your eye
- A penetrating or cutting injury to the eye or surrounding area
- Major trauma to the eye or face
- A curtain, shadow, or sudden dark area appearing in your field of vision
Chemical Exposure: Act Immediately
If a chemical, cleaning product, or other substance has splashed into your eye, begin flushing the eye with clean water immediately — do not wait to call anyone first. Flush continuously for 15 to 20 minutes, then call 911 or proceed to an emergency department.
Bring the product container or packaging with you if possible, so medical staff can identify the substance.
This page provides general educational information and is not a substitute for an examination, diagnosis, or treatment recommendation from a qualified eye-care professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Services
Our Team
Need Urgent Care?
For non-emergency concerns, call our office or book an appointment.
Medicaid and most insurance accepted.