Eye Emergencies in Gainesville

Eye Emergencies in Gainesville

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

(352) 331-7771

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 Quinn Eye Center for emergency eye care.

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

eye emergency treated at Quinn Eye Center

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 Gainesville 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 Gainesville as soon as possible.

Patient Reviews
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663 Reviews
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- Dec. 26, 2024
The staff were very friendly, welcoming, knowledgeable, and patient. Dr. Kenneth Parker was very kno... wledgeable, personable, and explained everything without leaving me confused. The business was very clean, organized, and presentable.
- Dec. 17, 2024
Dr Parker is the best Ophthalmologist I have had experience with. Always confident that my eye exams... are accurate and will have a good prescription.
- Dec. 08, 2024
The best eye doctor’s office in town
- Dec. 07, 2024
Knowledgeable and friendly doctor and staff! Nanette Barnes
- Nov. 29, 2024
The staff is very friendly and they made myself and my daughter feel very welcomed and cared for.
- Nov. 25, 2024
Excellent care at Quinn Eye Center! Everyone is professional & knowledgeable. Highly recommend!!
- Nov. 23, 2024
Great experience, eye specialists, professional, polite, comfortable seating area, efficient time sc... heduled. Superman Approved.
- Nov. 17, 2024
Amazing service every time I’ve gone here! Big women’s frame section, appointments are always qu... ick, and everyone is friendly and helpful. I tell all my friends to go to Quinn’s.
- Nov. 01, 2024
Have been with Dr. Quinn for a long time now. I trust him and his advice and have always been well t... aken care of. I wouldn’t go to anyone else.
- Oct. 27, 2024
I’ve been going here since 2014. Always a great experience. Simple scheduling, convenient hours, &... great staff. I appreciate the fact they don’t bombard you trying to sell a certain frame to you!
- Oct. 24, 2024
Great practice! Great experience.
- Oct. 18, 2024
Fit me in immediately when I had something in my eye. Thanks, Steve
- Sep. 11, 2024
My mom and I really appreciate the large selection of petite women's frames here. Lanie was also ext... remely kind and helpful. The measurements she took of our eyes for the lenses were spot-on!
- Aug. 30, 2024
Great staff
- Aug. 25, 2024
Very professional, nice and understanding of my preference for eyewear.
- Aug. 23, 2024
Fast, nice people, very good experience
- Aug. 22, 2024
Love my experience here. The technicians and staff are fantastic and friendly. The atmosphere is qui... et but welcoming and warm. I’ve been seeing Dr Quinn these past several years and love his extensive knowledge base and his commitment to excellent care.
- Aug. 16, 2024
Doctor Suggs and her staff are the best!
- Aug. 16, 2024
Excellent experience after a poor experience at a different eye doctor. Sara, the tech was exception... al! Dr Suggs was great. I will certainly be returning.
- Aug. 10, 2024
Always great customer service, very professional and welcoming atmosphere.

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Urgent Eye Care in Gainesville

Our optometry practice in Gainesville

Photograph of Lauren  Wasikowski
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 - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday 8:30 am - 3:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
  • Dec. 25 Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Spectera
  • Davis Vision
  • Humana
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • UMR
  • AARP
  • Multiplan
  • MetLife
  • Florida Blue
  • Assurant health
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare
  • AVMed

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Have an eye emergency?

Protect your vision by contacting Quinn Eye Center in Gainesville without delay!

(352) 331-7771