Emergency Eye Care in Chevy Chase & Washington, D.C.

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Eye Care Emergencies Can Be Scary

At Eye Rx, we’re here to help you through your emergency eye care needs, and to help make the process as calm and smooth as possible. 

If you or someone you know is currently experiencing an eye emergency, please call our Chevy Chase office at or our Washington, DC office. We will do everything we can to treat your eye care emergency.

If our offices are closed, please proceed to the nearest emergency room.

A male optometrist examines a female patient's eye for any irregularities.

When Should You Seek Medical Attention for an Eye Care Emergency?

You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:

  • Sudden loss of vision
  • Eye pain
  • A foreign object in your eye
  • Swelling in or around your eye
  • Sudden onset of floaters or flashes
  • A scratch on your eye (corneal abrasion)
  • Significant discharge from your eye

You should also seek immediate medical attention if you get any chemicals in or around your eye.

Common Eye Emergencies & First Aid Strategies

There are some eye care emergencies that are fairly common. Here’s a list of emergencies we frequently see, and first aid strategies to help treat them before seeking medical attention.

Corneal Abrasion

What is it?

Our corneas (the thin, transparent membrane that covers the iris and pupil) are very fragile and are easily damaged. Even a slight impact or a small scratch can be painful and leave your eye vulnerable to infection, putting your vision at risk.

First Aid:

If you are experiencing a corneal abrasion, don’t rub your eye. Rubbing can move the remaining debris around, causing more damage. You may be able to dislodge the debris by flushing your eye with cool, clean water.

Whether or not you are able to dislodge the debris, you should still seek medical attention from Eye Rx or your nearest emergency room so a professional can check your eye.

What is it?

Sometimes foreign objects, like dust or an eyelash, can get stuck in your eye.

First Aid:

If something is loosely trapped between your eye and your eyelid you should not rub your eye as this could cause further damage. However, you may be able to dislodge the object by flushing your eye with cool, clean water after you have washed your hands with soap and water.

If you are not able to dislodge the object by flushing, do not attempt to remove it using your fingers or a pair of tweezers as this could cause further damage. Instead, leave your eye alone and proceed to your nearest Eye Rx location or your closest emergency room.

Regardless of whether or not you are able to dislodge the object on your own, you should still seek immediate medical attention.

What is it?

A chemical, such as cleaning products or industrial chemicals, splashing into your eye.

First Aid:

  1. Wash your hands to ensure no chemical is left on them.
  2. Immediately flush your eye with tap water. Ideally, the water should be lukewarm, and you should flush your eye for 20 minutes.
  3. Remove any contact lenses you may have on.

Do not rub your eyes, or use eye drops.

After you have completed these steps, contact your nearest Eye Rx office or proceed to the nearest emergency room.

Eye Ex Is Here to Help You Through Your Eye Care Emergencies

If you suspect that you or someone you know is experiencing an eye care emergency, give us a call at our Chevy Chase office or our Washington DC office. We will do everything we can to treat your eye care emergency.

We also welcome walk-in patients.

Our Locations

Chevy Chase

We’re located just off North Park Avenue along Shoemaker Farm Lane. If you have any trouble finding our office, don’t hesitate to give us a call!

  • 4600 North Park Ave., Plaza North
  • Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Washington DC

Find us in the heart of downtown, just off K Street. We’re located in the Davis Building next to Chase Bank. If you have any trouble finding us, feel free to give us a call!

  • 1629 K St NW #502
  • Washington, DC 20006
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