Eye Emergencies in Houston

Eye Emergencies

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

Schedule Eye Exam

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 - Oak Forest for emergency eye care Our Houston optometrists can help you preserve your vision and eye health.

eye emergency treated at Memorial Eye Center - Oak Forest

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!


Give Your Eyes the Care They Deserve

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


Urgent Eye Care

Our optometry practice in Houston

Photograph of Esther  Kovacs
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Saturday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Aetna
  • VSP
  • Spectera
  • Metlife Vision
  • United Healthcare
Patient Reviews
4.7
118 Reviews
5
4
3
2
1
- Feb. 21, 2023
Dr. Kim-Van Chau and the technician were wonderful with my young daughter. They didn’t rush and le... t her explain what was bothering her eyes. Roberto was so patient helping her choose frames, and helped her find a pair she really liked that fit her perfectly.
- Feb. 04, 2023
Customer service was exceptional. All staff makes you feel welcomed. Dr. Kovacs does a great job exp... laining what's going on and has great bed side manners.
- Feb. 03, 2023
Professional, helpful, and friendly people in a cold, busy world.
- Jan. 17, 2023
Great friendly staff since you walk in. Great job
- Nov. 23, 2022
Very friendly, professional, and efficient staff and doctor. Highly recommend.
- Nov. 07, 2022
I love Dr Kovacs and her staff. Detailed testing available but no pressure if you choose to forego a... dditional testing. Great eyeglass selection in every price range.
- Oct. 23, 2022
Great staff and selection of frames
- Sep. 30, 2022
They were all fantastic with my elderly mother!
- Sep. 12, 2022
Friendly, competent staff. Dr. Kovacks always consultes with my opthamologist about my ongoing eye ... issues.
- Aug. 19, 2022
Very pleasant experience.
- Jul. 20, 2022
I've been coming for a few years and I am very happy with Dr Kovacs. She is extremely detailed orien... ted and the office has great technology. I love that I can have a detailed exam without being dilated. I'm very happy with my prescription as well! She takes her time to make sure you are getting a quality exam and prescription.
- Jul. 11, 2022
Great eye care and Great prices
- May. 10, 2022
Great service! Seen very knowledgeable.
- Feb. 27, 2022
Great staff. Excellent service
- Feb. 13, 2022
Staff is great. Everybody is so friendly and helpful
- Feb. 02, 2022
Excellent eye care facility - I will continue to come to Dr. Kovacs for my eye care and ask Roberto ... for advice on choosing the best frames and lenses for my needs. An excellent team!
- Dec. 07, 2021
I won't go anywhere else. Friendly, knowledgeable, caring everything I could ask for.
- Aug. 30, 2021
Best staff ever! So lovely, so accommodating. Couldn't recommend the entire office any higher.
- Jun. 18, 2021
I like this place. Dr Kovacs and the rest of the staff provided me with good service. The glasses I ... purchased are just fine.
- Apr. 29, 2021
I'm very happy I went to get my eyes checked. I need additional testing. Dr. Chau is very down to ea... rth and explained my issues well. Got vitamins and eye cleaner to help keep my eyes good for as long as possible.

View All 118 Reviews

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 Houston 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 Houston as soon as possible.


Woman with red eyes holding her head

Have an eye emergency?

Protect your vision by contacting Memorial Eye Center - Oak Forest in Houston without delay!

Schedule Eye Exam