Foreign objects or stabbing pains in your eye? Don’t wait!
Eye Emergencies in Crystal Lake
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 Primary EyeCare Centers - Crystal Lake for emergency eye care.
Our Crystal Lake 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 Crystal Lake 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 Crystal Lake as soon as possible.
Meet our Eye Doctors
Will Watson O.D.
Language:
English
- Accepting New Patients
Dr. William Watson pursued his medical training at the Illinois College of Optometry and was awarded his Doctor of Optometry degree in 1999. He holds certification in competency-based examination in the Treatment and Management of Ocular…
Erika Cleland O.D.
Language:
English
- Accepting New Patients
Dr. Cleland discovered her interest in visual science at Indiana University, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Wanting to incorporate this knowledge with her passion for helping people, she pursued her medical…
John Tatar O.D.
Language:
English
- Accepting New Patients
- Family Friendly
- In Person Appointments
John Tatar, O.D., received his Doctor of Optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2023. He completed three years of undergraduate studies at Loyola University of Chicago as a Biology major before being accepted into Illinois…
Patient Reviews
4.6
305 Reviews
Denise H. - Jun 1, 2026
Excellent Doctors & service very informative about everything. Appreciate all of them for helping me... Show More with my new glasses too! Ty for everything Appreciate you all 🌞 ❤️
Mac S. - May 6, 2026
I had a great experience at Primary EyeCare Centers in Crystal Lake. The front desk was very nice, w... Show Moreelcoming, and helpful. Dr. John Tatar was amazing — very thorough, informative, and professional throughout the exam. He took the time to explain everything clearly and made the whole visit feel comfortable and well handled. Highly recommend this office and especially Dr. Tatar.
Have an eye emergency?
Protect your vision by contacting Primary EyeCare Centers - Crystal Lake in Crystal Lake without delay!