Eye Emergencies in Jefferson Hills

Eye Emergencies in Jefferson Hills

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

(412) 384-8007

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 Bittel Vision Care Center - Jefferson Hills for emergency eye care.

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

eye emergency treated at Bittel Vision Care Center - Jefferson Hills

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 Jefferson Hills 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 Jefferson Hills as soon as possible.

Patient Reviews
- Mar. 27, 2024
Went for a routine eye exam and prescription check. Dr. Mehalik was great!
- Dec. 21, 2022
Excellent service as usual. Dr Bittel has always treated our family with great care and professiona... lism
- Sep. 21, 2022
The whole staff was so friendly and kind. Everything went easy and smooth for being a first time pat... ient. The doctor is amazing! She is very kind.
- Jul. 21, 2022
I just went there yesterday for my first appointment and was very pleased with the staff there. They... were very friendly and the doctor there was super nice and helpful. It was a nice experience for me.
- Feb. 23, 2022
Great vision care by Dr Bittel for over 30 yrs!!! I wouldn’t go anywhere else!
- Sep. 16, 2021
They found a problem I didn’t know I had & sent me to an excellent laser surgeon & did the follow ... up at Coal Vally Rd. The office staff is outstanding along with Dr Robert Bittle.
- Jan. 16, 2020
I’m embarrassed to admit but I hadn’t had an eye exam for probably 10+ years...partly because of... no vision insurance and then when I did have insurance, I just kept putting it off...then I broke my glasses on Christmas Day and had to super glue one of the ear pieces, so the time had come. But I started to fear the unknown. Well, today I had my appointment (with a wonderful new eye doctor) and after a thorough dilated (that was the worst part!) exam with digital imaging done, my vision is perfect for someone my age - no glaucoma, no macular degeneration. New glasses ordered...all is good!!
- Sep. 10, 2019
Staff is always so pleasant and accommodating. Doctors are excellent.

View All 19 Reviews

Urgent Eye Care in Jefferson Hills

Our optometry practice in Jefferson Hills

Photograph of Robert Bittel
Hours
  • Monday 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday Closed
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Spectera
  • Medicaid
  • Anthem
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue Cross
  • MetLife
  • Aetna

Woman with red eyes holding her head

Have an eye emergency?

Protect your vision by contacting Bittel Vision Care Center - Jefferson Hills in Jefferson Hills without delay!

(412) 384-8007