Eye Emergencies in Pittsfield

Eye Emergencies in Pittsfield

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

(217) 285-4800

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 International Eyecare Center - Pittsfield for emergency eye care.

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

eye emergency treated at International Eyecare Center - Pittsfield

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 Pittsfield 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 Pittsfield as soon as possible.

Patient Reviews
4.8
130 Reviews
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1
- Oct. 27, 2024
Good people, very caring . Taking time to answer any questions.
- Oct. 24, 2024
Great Doctor and office staff. I have gone for years. Never a complaint.
- Oct. 03, 2024
Dr. Leahy and his staff are wonderful, patient and accommodating!
- Jul. 31, 2024
(Translated by Google) Excellent service and everyone friendly (Original) Excelente servicio y amab... les todos
- Jun. 23, 2024
Always pleased with my care and experience at ECI. I’ve been a patient of Dr Leahy for many years ... and appreciate his expertise with my eye care each year.
- May. 01, 2024
Great people and service here. They really do want to help you.
- Mar. 05, 2024
Dr. Tim is fun
- Feb. 19, 2024
Dr Leahy is knowledgeable and efficient and experienced
- Dec. 26, 2023
Friendly and very fast
- Oct. 31, 2023
They are the best. Both staff and Dr. Leahy!!
- Jul. 19, 2023
Awesome staff and Dr. Leahy is the best!!
- Jul. 03, 2023
The receptionists are very friendly
- Jun. 28, 2023
Everyone was friendly and helpful. Dr. Leahy made me feel at ease and explained everything in an ea... sy to understand way!
- Aug. 23, 2022
I had a wonderful experience with Dr. Leahy and the staff. I would recommend everyone who hasn't see... n an eye doctor see Dr. Leahy.
- May. 07, 2021
I appreciated the sincere interest Dr. Leahy showed in my eye problem.
- Apr. 23, 2021
I’ve seen lots of eye doctors, but Dr. Leahy is the only one who has ever been able to get me seei... ng well. He explains what he is looking for and why certain things work and do not work in terms that a layperson can understand. He takes all the time he needs to get things right. It is really nice that we have someone who really excels at his profession in such a small town. After ten years living out of state with insurance that would not cover IEC, I finally decided it was worth it to pay out of pocket just to see Dr. Leahy—and see again!
- Jan. 20, 2021
Great place, listens to his patients and talks to you and not at you! Concerned about the health of ... your eyes and is very straightforward in determining what the best course of action is.
- Sep. 29, 2019
IEC is a wonderful place to go for an eye exam. From the time you are going through the process of ... preparing for your exam to the actual exam with Dr. Leahy you’re treated with excellent care.
- May. 26, 2019
Best place to go. Staff and doctor are always helpful and detailed. Always have an answer to my ques... tions.
- Apr. 09, 2019
All I can say is there wonderful! Dr. Timothy Leahy and his group are wonderful people! They are ver... y caring and have a lot of compassion for others, this is much more then a job to them it’s helping others get the best care they can offer so you can see your best and enjoy life to the fullest! Sincerely Marta Ashley

View All 130 Reviews

Urgent Eye Care in Pittsfield

Our optometry practice in Pittsfield

Photograph of Tim Leahy
Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Aetna
  • Anthem
  • VSP
  • United Healthcare
  • Spectera
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Medicaid
  • MetLife
  • Blue Cross

Woman with red eyes holding her head

Have an eye emergency?

Protect your vision by contacting International Eyecare Center - Pittsfield in Pittsfield without delay!

(217) 285-4800