Get urgent help

For a medical emergency, seek help now. Do not wait for an AI reply.

Life-threatening emergency

If someone collapses, cannot breathe, is unresponsive, or may have another life-threatening emergency, call the local emergency number immediately.

Call 911 — United States

Outside the United States, call your local emergency number. On supported devices, this link opens the calling app. This website does not dispatch help.

U.S. National 911 Program · MedlinePlus: first aid and emergencies

Eye-care warning signs

These are examples, not a complete list. If you are concerned, contact a qualified clinician. Do not drive yourself when emergency eye care is needed; ask someone to take you or call for emergency assistance.

Sudden vision changes

A sudden increase in floaters, new flashes, or a curtain or shadow across vision needs immediate assessment by an eye doctor or emergency department. Sudden loss of vision also needs emergency care.

Source: National Eye Institute · NHS: eye pain

An eye injury

Go to an emergency department now after a piercing or high-speed eye injury, or if an injury causes severe pain or a change in vision. Avoid rubbing the eye. Leave any embedded object in place.

Source: NHS eye injuries

A chemical splash in the eye

Begin rinsing immediately. Hold the eye open and gently flush it with plenty of clean water that is not hot for at least 20 minutes. If a harmful chemical such as bleach or oven cleaner is involved, arrange emergency medical help and continue rinsing while waiting.

Source: NHS eye injuries

A painful red eye

A very painful red eye needs urgent medical assessment. Go to an emergency department now if redness comes with changes in vision, pain when looking at light, or a severe headache with nausea.

Source: NHS red eye

Symptoms after eye surgery

Severe pain or loss of vision within four weeks of eye surgery or treatment needs emergency assessment. Follow the surgical team’s discharge instructions and contact them promptly about new concerns.

Source: NHS eye pain

Pain while wearing contact lenses

Remove the lenses and contact an eye doctor immediately for pain, redness, light sensitivity, sudden blurred vision, or unusual discharge. Wait for the eye doctor’s advice before wearing lenses again. Eye pain with loss of vision needs emergency care.

Source: CDC contact lens guidance · NHS: eye pain

Source links checked September 27, 2026. Independent clinician review is still pending. This educational preview cannot diagnose or assess your symptoms.

NHS links describe UK services. Use the emergency number and care services for your location.