Eye Emergencies in South Lake Union

Eye Emergencies in South Lake Union

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

(206) 420-7366

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 Urban Optix for emergency eye care.

Our South Lake Union optometrists can help you preserve your vision and eye health.

eye emergency treated at Urban Optix

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 South Lake Union 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 South Lake Union as soon as possible.


Meet our Eye Emergencies Specialists

Patient Reviews
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237 Reviews
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- Apr. 09, 2025
Excellent service and care. Highly recommended.
- Mar. 13, 2025
Super knowledgeable, thorough, warm, and cost conscious. Also knows about Ehlers's Danlos syndrome, ... I would highly recommend Dr. Yu!
- Mar. 13, 2025
I had a great experience at Urban Optix. The staff was friendly and welcoming, and Dr. Yu was knowle... dgeable and very professional - highly recommend!
- Feb. 19, 2025
I had a great experience here. Nice office with updated equipment. Dr. Yu and staff were friendly an... d easy to talk to and they have an awesome selection of glasses.
- Jan. 24, 2025
Everyone at urban optics in South Lake Union is so professional and kind. I have a wonderful experie... nce and look forward to my next visit.
- Dec. 19, 2024
Dr Annie Yu, Arishma, and Jerome were all super friendly and helpful! Best eye doctor and clinic exp... erience I've ever had.
- Dec. 18, 2024
Friendly staff, clean office and great atmosphere. Dr. Thoreby is very Knowledgeable.
- Dec. 12, 2024
Everyone was very nice and helpful!
- Dec. 06, 2024
Great staff and Dr. Yu was awesome. Also a really nice selection of frames to choose from. I will be... back.
- Nov. 27, 2024
Friendly knowledgeable staff and the latest technology for testing eye health and vision. Highly rec... ommend! Conveniently situated in downtown Seattle, too.
- Nov. 01, 2024
Easy, friendly and helpful. Nice selection of frames. Opticians did a great job of explaining my ins... urance options.
- Oct. 31, 2024
I was blown away by how awesome the folks at Urban Optix were. Dr. Yu and here staff were all friend... ly and knowledgeable and my eye exam was a breeze from beginning to end. As someone who has worn glasses for 30+ years I cannot recommend this place highly enough.
- Oct. 31, 2024
The staff are all very friendly and welcoming. The office is very modern and clean. Dr Lee is very c... ool and down to earth. She makes visiting the eye doctor easy. Have never had issues finding street parking in the area. There are some great neighboring spots to eat and drink.
- Oct. 30, 2024
Friendliest staff!
- Sep. 12, 2024
Everyone in the office was friendly, professional and helpful. I also appreciated that most everyone... was masked, making me feel like they cared about the health of their clients.
- Sep. 10, 2024
Dr. Annie Yu and the staff at Urban Optix were great. Super friendly and knowledgeable. Very easy pa... tient experience with modern technology. Currently, there’s construction outside the building that probably blocked signage, which made it a little confusing for me to find as a first timer. Overall, am very happy I found them and am happy to return here regularly!
- Aug. 30, 2024
I was in town visiting and had a minor emergency and the staff went out of their way to help me out ... on short notice! Was very impressed with how friendly and accommodating everyone was, especially given that I am not a current client. Thank you so much!
- Aug. 02, 2024
Awesome, people.
- Aug. 01, 2024
I am very nearsighted, so I have been going yearly to the eye doctor, but have always also struggled... with extra headaches all the way from school-age. I have tried vision therapy and have seen lots of eye doctors. Dr. Yu was the first doctor to listen to all of my concerns and really narrow down what my problem was. I finally have a prescription that fits my needs. After 25 years I finally know what it is like to use both eyes!
- May. 09, 2024
Wonderful staff. Great office and they make sure you are satisfied with their service.

View All 237 Reviews

Urgent Eye Care in South Lake Union

Our optometry practice in South Lake Union

Photograph of Sean Thoreby
Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 3:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Anthem
  • EyeMed
  • Blue Cross
  • First Choice Health

Woman with red eyes holding her head

Have an eye emergency?

Protect your vision by contacting Urban Optix in South Lake Union without delay!

(206) 420-7366