Foreign objects or stabbing pains in your eye? Don’t wait!
Eye Emergencies in Columbia
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 Advanced Vision for emergency eye care.
Our Columbia 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 Columbia 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 Columbia as soon as possible.
Meet our Eye Doctors
Benjamin Iwai O.D.
Language: English
Bio coming soon.
Devon Sievers O.D.
Devon Sievers, O.D., received his Doctor of Optometry and earned his Bachelor of Science in Human Biology from South Dakota State University in 2021. Dr. Sievers was drawn to optometry by the opportunity to make a direct and lasting impact…
Patient Reviews
4.6
285 Reviews
Abby C.- Aug 13, 2026
I decided to get contact lenses and the staff were very patient with me! It took me a few 30 min-1 h... Show Moreour sessions throughout the past 3 days coming in and practicing until I finally got the hang of it. I couldn't have the lenses until I could prove that I could safely put the contacts in and take them out. They also worked with me on pricing and I am very thankful for their help!
Kathy S.- Aug 7, 2026
I had a great experience at Advanced Vision with Dr. Sievers and his staff. Dr. Sievers recommended ... Show Morethat I pursue cataract surgery after an eye exam, and afterwards he oversaw my recovery and eye care. I trusted his care because he answered all my questions, addressed my concerns, and treated me professionally and respectfully. He and his staff were very friendly and courteous. I would highly recommend Dr. Sievers and Advanced Vision.
Urgent Eye Care in Columbia
Have an eye emergency?
Protect your vision by contacting Advanced Vision in Columbia without delay!