Emergency Eye Care in Ancaster
Call us first for urgent eye problems
If your eye is red, painful or suddenly not seeing well, call us at 289-346-9773. We'll ask a few questions and book you in as soon as we can.
Problems we can help with
Call us if you notice any of these. We'll tell you over the phone how soon you should be seen.
Red or painful eye
Including pink eye, infections and inflammation.
Something in your eye
Dust, grit or a metal fleck that won't rinse out.
Scratched cornea
From a fingernail, branch, makeup brush or contact lens.
Sudden flashes or floaters
New flashes of light, a shower of floaters or a shadow in your vision. These can be signs of a retinal tear.
Contact lens problems
A lens that's stuck or torn, or an eye that's red and sore after wearing them.
Swollen eyelid or stye
A painful lump, swelling or crusting along the lid.
Chemical splash
Rinse with clean water for 15 minutes first, then call.
Sudden change in vision
Blurring, double vision or vision loss that comes on quickly.
First aid for common eye injuries
Chemical splash
Rinse the eye with clean, lukewarm tap water for at least 15 minutes, holding the lids open. Then call us or go to the nearest emergency department.
Dust or grit
Blink, and rinse with saline or artificial tears. Don't rub. If it still feels like something is there, call us.
A scratch or poke
Don't rub the eye or press on it. Take out your contacts and call us so we can check the cornea.
Something stuck in the eye
Don't try to remove it. Cover the eye loosely with a paper cup and go to the emergency department.
When to go to the emergency department
Go straight to the nearest hospital emergency department for serious injuries, such as a cut to the eye, an object stuck in the eye, a hard blow or a chemical burn that hasn't eased after rinsing. Go there too if you suddenly lose vision and can't reach us.
For most other urgent problems, an optometrist has the equipment to look closely at your eye and can prescribe drops and other medication, so calling us first can save you a long wait.
Not sure where to go? Get in touch.
If we're closed:
Sudden vision loss
Go to the nearest emergency department right away.
Serious injuries
Cuts, objects stuck in the eye, hard blows and chemical burns need emergency care.
Health advice
Call Health811 by dialing 811 to speak with a registered nurse any time, day or night.
Everything else
Call us when we open and we'll find you a time.
Our hours are listed at the bottom of this page.
Emergency Eye Care FAQ
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Please call us at 289-346-9773 for urgent problems, since online booking may not show urgent openings. Further, the team can determine if your needs require a more urgent emergency room visit
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Visits are covered for anyone 19 and under or 65 and older. For adults 20 to 64, OHIP covers visits related to certain conditions such as glaucoma, diabetes or retinal disease. Otherwise there's a fee, which many extended health plans cover.
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Yes. Optometrists in Ontario can diagnose and prescribe medication for eye infections, allergies and inflammation, and can remove small particles from the surface of the eye.
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No. Take them out and bring your glasses and lens case to your visit.
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New flashes, a sudden shower of floaters or a shadow across your vision can mean a retinal tear, which needs to be checked the same day. Call us right away, or go to the emergency department if we're closed.
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Yes. Urgent visits for anyone 19 and under are covered by OHIP.
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We’re at 241 Wilson Street East in the village of Ancaster, about 15 minutes from Dundas and west Hamilton. There’s free parking beside and behind the boutique.