Foreign objects or stabbing pains in your eye? Don’t wait!
Eye Emergencies in Palo Alto
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 Prospectacles Optometry for emergency eye care.
Our Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto as soon as possible.
Meet our Eye Doctors
Joy Jin O.D.
Language: English
Dr. Joy Jin grew up in Toronto, Canada. She earned her B.S. in Physiology from UCLA and received her Doctor of Optometry from UC Berkeley School of Optometry. Dr. Jin has completed training at Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Hospital, Byers Eye…
Tuyetha Mai Monique O.D.
Monique Mai, O.D., received her Doctor of Optometry from UC Berkeley in 2003. She previously earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Santa Clara University in 1997. With over 20 years of experience in practice, Dr. Mai brings both…
Patient Reviews
4.6
35 Reviews
Anne Lin
I recently visited Prospectacles for my annual eye exam and to pick new eyewear, and I must say it w... Show Moreas a truly outstanding experience. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted warmly by Angela, setting the tone for what turned out to be a highly professional and enjoyable visit.
Angela took the time to listen to my preferences and style choices, guiding me through the extensive selection of frames available. Her depth of knowledge about each frame's design, materials, and suitability for my prescription. She provided valuable insights and recommendations, ensuring that I not only found a pair of glasses that looked great but also met my visual needs perfectly. Moreover, after I made the purchase and changed my mind, Angela went above and beyond to ensure that I can swap the frame before is too late. Her friendly demeanor and expertise made the entire eyewear selection process a delight.
Dr. Monique was not only incredibly knowledgeable but also took the time to listen attentively to my concerns and thoroughly go thru each step of the examination process. I felt completely at ease knowing that I was in the genuine hands who cared about my eye health.
Moreover, the clinic itself is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, which not only made the retinal examination process efficient but also gave me confidence in the accuracy of the results.
From the comprehensive eye exam to helping me select the perfect pair of glasses, every step of the process was handled with the professionalism and attention to detail.
I left Prospectacles feeling not only satisfied with the care I received but also confident in the health of my eyes. I cannot recommend this clinic enough to anyone in need of exceptional eye care services. Thank you, Angela and Dr. Monique, for a truly wonderful experience!
judy w.- Sep 21, 2026
Thorough exam with patient and experienced staff selecting most appropriate frames.
Have an eye emergency?
Protect your vision by contacting Prospectacles Optometry in Palo Alto without delay!