Emergency Eye Care
Eye emergencies do not wait. Sudden vision loss, a chemical splash, an embedded object, persistent flashes, new floaters, severe pain — these are signs your eye needs professional care now, not next week. At Rhode Eyeland, we prioritize urgent cases so you can get assessed and treated quickly, often the same day.
Sudden vision loss or a curtain across your sight
Flashes of light or a sudden burst of new floaters
Eye pain, especially with light sensitivity
An object stuck in or on the eye
Chemical splash — rinse with water for at least 15 minutes first, then call
Eye injury from impact or a foreign body
Sudden double vision
Severe redness with discharge or swelling
A red, painful eye (potential infection)
Call us (or 911 as necessary) right away if you experience:
Most emergency rooms are not staffed with eye specialists or equipped with the right equipment, ophthalmic imaging, and exam tools needed to diagnose ocular emergencies accurately. We have all of it — and you will typically be seen faster, by someone trained specifically in eye disease. If your case requires specialty care, we coordinate the referral immediately.
Why see an optometrist before the ER
Phone triage to gauge urgency
A focused exam targeting your symptom
Imaging or pressure testing as needed
A likely diagnosis and treatment plan
Prescription medication when appropriate
Referral to a specialist or ER if surgery or hospital care is required
What to expect when you call
If you have a sight threatening emergency, dial 911 or head to the nearest emergency room. If you have an office appropriate concern, please call us at 401-262-0042. We triage new or established patients as quickly as possible.
Existing patient or new — we'll see you