Eye Emergencies in Austin

Eye Emergencies in Austin

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

(512) 343-0432

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 Far West Optical for emergency eye care.

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

eye emergency treated at Far West Optical

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 Austin 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 Austin as soon as possible.

Patient Reviews
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208 Reviews
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- Jul. 15, 2024
Great doctors, good staff, and Gloria is an excellent optician!! She always gets my glasses right o... n the first try.
- Jul. 06, 2024
Very knowledgeable and professional. Answered all my questions.
- Jun. 30, 2024
The staff here are always helpful, courteous from scheduling to picking out frames, getting repairs ... and replacements done! Thank you!
- Jun. 23, 2024
They are competent and helpful.
- Jun. 19, 2024
Overall great experience! Staff was friendly and helpful and so were there HCP.
- Jun. 15, 2024
I highly recommend Far West Optical. Very helpful and knowledgeable staff.
- Jun. 11, 2024
Great service and the doctor was very nice
- May. 29, 2024
Thoughtful and thorough experience. I highly recommend Far West Optical.
- May. 11, 2024
dr. H is a great optometrist! he explains things in layman's terms, is patient, a great listener, a... nd all around a great person. HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommended!
- Apr. 29, 2024
What an amazing place! Everyone was kind, helpful, and seemed to enjoy what they were doing. So happ... y to have found this office! Loved Dr. Gasser who explained everything to me so that I fully understood! Don’t let the “curb appeal” fool you, this place is wonderful!
- Apr. 29, 2024
I’m so glad I found a wonderful eye Dr near me. She is very nice and thorough . The staff is nice ... and very efficient. It was a nice, comfortable process to get my new glasses.
- Apr. 20, 2024
Not pushy, down to earth!
- Apr. 10, 2024
Great team at Far West Optical! High tech and high touch.
- Mar. 22, 2024
I felt my eyes were in good, competent, and kind hands
- Feb. 27, 2024
Dr. Gasser was professional and thorough. She explained my eye exam results well. Staff was friend... ly and professional. Office was well equipped and clean.
- Feb. 26, 2024
The best experience I’ve ever had with an optometrist! I’m a new patient and Dr. Gasser has trea... ted me like a long-time valued customer. She’s been very empathetic and diligent in identifying my dry eye symptoms, and referred me to a specialty clinic that has done wonders for my treatment. Dr. Gasser also put me in new, much more comfortable contact lenses and her front desk staff price matched my contacts order to give me the best price I’ve had in years of wearing contacts. Will never go anywhere else!
- Feb. 12, 2024
Dr. Gasser is friendly and efficient. Thanks!
- Jan. 14, 2024
Dr. Haselhorst talked me through the entire appointment about what he was doing and provided me with... extra contacts and solution. Ms. Karla Morse is an amazing practice manager. She price matched my contacts and helped me find new glasses.
- Nov. 16, 2023
The staff is lovely. Dr. Gasser was thorough and explained everything as we went
- Nov. 07, 2023
Great doctor and team! They also had a great selection of frames to choose from. I love to have su... ch a professional office in our neighborhood.

View All 208 Reviews

Urgent Eye Care in Austin

Our optometry practice in Austin

Photograph of Erik  Haselhorst
Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Superior Vision
  • Davis Vision
  • Anthem
  • Blue Cross

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Have an eye emergency?

Protect your vision by contacting Far West Optical in Austin without delay!

(512) 343-0432