What counts as an eye emergency?
If you're unsure whether something is urgent, call — we would rather hear from you than have you wait. Contact us the same day for:
- An injury or blow to the eye
- Something stuck in the eye, or a scratch from a foreign object
- A chemical splash of any kind
- Sudden loss of vision, blurred vision or double vision
- New flashes of light, a burst of floaters, or a shadow or curtain across your vision
- Severe eye pain, especially with nausea or halos around lights
- A red, painful or light-sensitive eye, or heavy discharge
- Pain or redness while wearing contact lenses
Why call an eye doctor instead of waiting it out?
Many urgent eye problems — infections, foreign bodies, corneal scratches, flashes and floaters — are diagnosed and treated far more effectively with the equipment in an eye doctor's office, including a slit lamp and retinal imaging, than in a waiting room without them. Some, like a retinal tear or angle-closure glaucoma, can cause permanent vision loss if treatment is delayed. Many of these visits are covered under your medical insurance rather than your vision plan.
For a chemical splash, rinse the eye immediately with clean water for several minutes before you call. If an injury is severe or you can't reach us and can't wait, go to the nearest emergency room.
What should I do before I get to the office?
A few simple steps protect your eye and help us help you:
- Don't rub the eye, and don't try to remove anything embedded in it
- Take out your contact lenses if you can do so without pain
- Bring your glasses, your contact lens details and a list of any medications
- Tell us on the phone what happened and when, so we can prepare before you arrive
Urgent eye care for Old Forge, Clarks Summit and greater Scranton
Our Old Forge and Clarks Summit offices both treat urgent eye problems for patients throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. Call first so we can prioritize your visit and have the right instruments ready. Once the immediate problem is handled, we'll schedule any follow-up you need — and if it has been a while since your last comprehensive exam, that's a good time to catch up, since many serious conditions develop without warning signs.
Frequently asked questions
- Do you accept walk-ins for eye emergencies?
- Please call ahead — 570-451-2020 for Old Forge or 570-585-0000 for Clarks Summit. We do our best to see urgent cases promptly, and calling first lets us prepare and tell you which office can see you soonest.
- Are new flashes and floaters an emergency?
- They can be. A sudden burst of floaters, flashes of light, or a shadow moving across your vision can signal a retinal tear or detachment. Call the same day so we can examine your retina.
- Is emergency eye care covered by insurance?
- Often, yes. Visits for red eye, infections, injuries and other urgent problems are usually billed to your medical insurance rather than your vision plan. Our front desk will check your coverage and explain your options.
- What should I do if I get a chemical in my eye?
- Rinse the eye immediately with clean water for several minutes, remove contact lenses if you're wearing them, and then call us. Bring the product name or container if you can.
Ready when you are
Book a visit at either office
Request an appointment online, or call the office closest to you — we're happy to help with insurance questions before your visit.