Eye Emergencies in Apple Valley

Eye Emergencies in Apple Valley

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

(952) 432-0680

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 Apple Valley Eye Care for emergency eye care.

Our Apple Valley optometrists can help you preserve your vision and eye health.

eye emergency treated at Apple Valley Eye Care

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 Apple Valley 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 Apple Valley as soon as possible.


Patient Reviews
4.8
367 Reviews
5
4
3
2
1
- Feb. 27, 2026
Dr Annika is wonderful. She is so knowledgeable and caring and I trust her judgment and treatment co... mpletely. The staff is great . I have been a patient for almost 10 years.
- Feb. 27, 2026
If it weren’t for the high tech instrumentation and ability to take a picture of my retina without... dilation, they never would have caught my retinal tear. I was going to deny the dilation because I had to drive and work. Luckily they didn’t need it!
- Feb. 25, 2026
The staff are very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.
- Feb. 25, 2026
Amanda and all the staff were friendly kind and helpful!
- Feb. 23, 2026
very professional
- Feb. 20, 2026
Great care for the entire family. Dr. McMullen is especially kind, knowledgeable, and professional. ... Great selection of eye glasses and wonderful customer service.
- Feb. 02, 2026
I drive across town to receive the best eye care the Twin Cities has to offer. State of the art equi... pment. Professional doctors and clinic setting. Qualified to manage both vision and many types of eye issues.
- Jan. 06, 2026
Exceptional service and I trust Apple Valley Eye Care 100%
- Aug. 23, 2025
I first walked in last Friday thinking that possibly they would be able to do a walk-in, but they do... n’t do that. So I looked over their glasses selection found a pair I liked and then put in my information and got an appointment scheduled. Today when I walked in, everything was easy and went very well. I’m a type two diabetic and they were able to help check me for eye issues for that. I think the whole situation probably only took about 45 minutes. The only thing I can say bad about them is that the intake form that I filled out online wasn’t necessarily working well when it came to taking my insurance card. But other than that, the staff was wonderful and the whole overall look of the office was nice and immaculate.
- May. 06, 2025
I broke my eyeglass frames that I bought from AVEC, so I took them back in. I was told they are not ... fixable, and AVEC doesn't sell that brand anymore. The girl at the eyeglass counter was nice enough to show me where to find the info to order them online. When I got the new frames, I took the old lenses back in and AVEC put the old lenses in the new frames with no question. Such great service!! I've never had a bad experience or bad service from anyone there--they are all great!
- Apr. 19, 2025
I had a great first visit to Apple Valley Eye Care. Lauren and Dr. McMullen listened to my concerns ... and made me feel comfortable. There was no pressure to purchase glasses or contacts.
- Apr. 11, 2025
Dr. Pat is knowledgeable and kind!
- Apr. 11, 2025
Always great professional service with Apple Valley Eye Care! Thank You!
- Apr. 11, 2025
I was very impressed. Everyone I worked with enjoyed their job, and it shows.
- Feb. 19, 2025
Dr. Anderson is extremely knowledgeable and thorough. I’m grateful.
- Feb. 19, 2025
Quick and efficient staff were very accommodating
- Jan. 27, 2025
The staff at Apple Valley Eye Care are second to none! I have been a patient since the 1980s. Got ma... rried, had two kids who are now grown up- I don’t know why we would go anywhere else!
- Jan. 11, 2025
Very friendly and customer oriented eyecare team. It was my first time visiting this office, but I s... ensed the courtesy and respect between clients and providers. I would strongly recommend this office to anyone seeking quality eyecare and topnotch eyeglass frames.
- Dec. 04, 2024
Great staff. Very professional. Found cataracts and referred me to a good surgeon.
- Nov. 20, 2024
Doctor Wellik has been my doctor for years and I love him. Differently a "A" in my book.Also everyo... ne is very nice and helpful.

View All 367 Reviews

Urgent Eye Care in Apple Valley

Our optometry practice in Apple Valley

Photograph of Annika Anderson
Hours
  • Monday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8AM-6PM Every Wed. 9AM-6PM 3rd of the Month
  • Thursday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Saturday 8AM-12PM 2nd Sat. of the Month
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Spectera
  • Davis Vision
  • EyeMed
  • UMR
  • Superior Vision
  • Medica

Woman with red eyes holding her head

Have an eye emergency?

Protect your vision by contacting Apple Valley Eye Care in Apple Valley without delay!

(952) 432-0680