Short answer first
Go to the hospital emergency department, or call 911, for a chemical splash in the eye, an object stuck in or through the eye, a serious blow to the eye or face with vision loss, or sudden vision loss that comes with face drooping, arm weakness, or slurred speech. For most other urgent eye problems, call an optometrist first. A red and painful eye, something on the surface of the eye, an eye infection, a scratch, new flashes and floaters, or a sudden change in vision should be seen the same day, and an optometry clinic has the microscope and imaging built for exactly that.
At Guildford Eye Clinic in Surrey, call us first at (604) 229-9627. We keep room for urgent eye concerns and offer same-day appointments when a doctor is available. If we cannot see you in time, we will tell you where to go. We are an independent optometry clinic run by Dr. Lin and Dr. Xue Optometry, inside Specsavers at Guildford Town Centre. Specsavers is the retail dispensary in the same space. We provide the clinical care.
Go to the ER or call 911 right away
These situations need hospital care first. Do not wait for a callback or an appointment.
- A chemical in the eye. Cleaning products, pool chemicals, lime, cement, or anything acidic or alkaline. Start rinsing immediately with lots of clean, lukewarm water and keep going for at least 15 minutes, holding the eyelids open. Then go to the nearest emergency department or call 911. Bring the product label if you can.
- Something stuck in or through the eye. Do not pull it out, rub the eye, or press on it. Cover the eye loosely without pressure and go to the emergency department.
- A serious blow to the eye or face. Especially with vision loss, a cut on the eye or eyelid, blood inside the front of the eye, or the eye looking out of shape.
- Sudden vision loss with other warning signs. If vision loss comes with face drooping, weakness in an arm or leg, slurred speech, or a severe headache, call 911.
In Surrey, the main hospital emergency department is at Surrey Memorial Hospital. If you are not sure whether something can wait, HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 offers nurse advice at any hour.
Call an optometrist the same day
These problems should not wait for the next routine opening, but they usually do not need the ER. An optometrist can examine the eye under magnification, look at the retina, and start treatment or arrange a referral if it is needed. Call Guildford Eye Clinic first at (604) 229-9627 for:
- A red eye with pain, light sensitivity, or blurred vision. Redness alone is common, but redness with these signs needs a same-day look. See red eye treatment in Surrey.
- A painful red eye in a contact lens wearer. Take the lenses out and call. Lens wearers are at higher risk of a serious corneal infection. See eye infection treatment.
- Something on the surface of the eye. Grit, sawdust, an eyelash that will not rinse out, or a small metal fragment. Do not rub. See foreign body removal.
- A scratch on the eye. A fingernail, a branch, a makeup brush, or a child's toy can scratch the clear front surface and make the eye painful and watery.
- New flashes or a sudden shower of floaters. Or a shadow or curtain moving across your vision. These can be signs of a retinal problem. See flashes and floaters.
- A sudden change in vision in one or both eyes. New blur, a dark area, distortion, or double vision that appears suddenly.
- Discharge, swelling, or crusting. Signs of infection, including pink eye, which can be viral, bacterial, or allergic.
- Sudden severe eye pain with headache, nausea, or halos around lights. Call us right away. If you cannot reach us, go to the emergency department.
Our emergency eye care in Surrey page explains how we handle urgent visits. This article focuses on how to decide where to go.
Usually fine to book a regular visit
Some eye concerns are worth checking but do not need to be seen today, as long as there is no pain and your vision has not suddenly changed:
- Mildly itchy, watery eyes that come and go with the seasons
- Dry, tired, or gritty eyes at the end of a screen day. See dry eye in Surrey.
- Blur that has crept up slowly over months, or needing to hold your phone farther away
- A few old floaters that have not changed
- A small bright red patch on the white of the eye with no pain and normal vision
- Needing an updated glasses or contact lens prescription
For these, book a comprehensive eye exam in Surrey online any time. Dry, tired, or watery eyes belong in the exam, not as a side note, so mention them when you book. If anything gets worse, becomes painful, or your vision changes, stop waiting and call us.
Why see an optometrist first for most urgent eye problems?
Optometrists are primary eye care doctors. An optometry clinic is set up to examine the eye in detail, with a slit lamp microscope for the front of the eye and imaging for the retina. At Guildford Eye Clinic, OCT retinal imaging is part of our exam equipment, which helps us look at the layers at the back of the eye when new symptoms appear.
Many urgent problems can be diagnosed and treated in the same visit. When something needs a specialist, such as surgery or a hospital procedure, we arrange the referral to an ophthalmologist and explain what happens next. If you are not sure which type of eye doctor does what, read optometrist vs ophthalmologist in Surrey.
We also take the time to explain what we found. An urgent visit should end with you understanding what is going on with your eye, what to watch for, and when to come back, not only holding a prescription for drops.
What to do before you are seen
- Do not rub the eye. Rubbing can scratch the surface or push something in deeper.
- Take out contact lenses if the eye is red or painful, unless something feels stuck to the eye. Bring the lenses and the case.
- Skip leftover or borrowed drops. Some drops can mask the problem or make certain causes worse. Wait until we have had a look.
- Rinse gently for loose grit. Blinking and a gentle rinse with clean water or saline can float a loose particle out. If it still feels stuck, stop and call.
- Wear sunglasses if light hurts, and do not drive if your vision is blurred.
- Bring your BC Services Card and a list of the medicines you take.
Kids and seniors: when to be extra careful
Children cannot always describe what they feel. Call us the same day if your child keeps one eye closed, will not open the eye in light, has a red eye after a fall or a hit from a ball, or cannot stop rubbing after playing outside. For a chemical splash or an object stuck in the eye, go straight to the emergency department. Routine checkups are covered separately on our children's eye exam page, and our guide on choosing a kids optometrist in Surrey covers what to expect from a pediatric visit.
For older adults, new flashes and floaters, a sudden blur in one eye, or a new distortion in straight lines are reasons to call the same day rather than wait for the yearly exam. A senior eye exam each year, covered yearly by MSP for seniors 65 and over, gives us a baseline to compare against when new symptoms appear.
Urgent eye visits and MSP in BC
A medically necessary eye visit, such as a red eye, eye pain, an injury, an infection, or a sudden change in vision, is covered by MSP for all ages. We bill MSP directly where it applies, so urgent care is one less thing to worry about. A routine eye exam is a different visit with its own rules: it is covered yearly for children 18 and under and seniors 65 and over. Our guide to eye exam cost in BC and MSP walks through the details.
Where we are and when we are open
Guildford Eye Clinic is on the upper level of Guildford Town Centre in Surrey, inside Specsavers: Unit 2309, 10355 152 Street, Surrey, BC V3R 7C1. Mall parking is available. Set your GPS to Specsavers Guildford. After parking, take the mall entrance closest to Scotiabank; Specsavers is the second store on your left.
We are open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. For an urgent concern, phone first at (604) 229-9627 rather than booking online, so we can triage and fit you in. If we are closed and the problem is serious, go to the nearest emergency department or call 911. Families can explain symptoms in English, Mandarin, Punjabi, or Korean when schedule allows. See our guide to eye exams in Mandarin, Korean, and Punjabi.
Emergency eye care FAQ
When should I go to the ER for an eye problem instead of an eye clinic?
Go to the nearest hospital emergency department, or call 911, for a chemical splash after you have started rinsing, an object stuck in or through the eye, a serious blow to the eye or face with vision loss, or sudden vision loss together with face drooping, arm weakness, or slurred speech. For most other urgent eye problems, such as a red painful eye, something on the surface of the eye, an infection, or new flashes and floaters, call Guildford Eye Clinic first at (604) 229-9627.
Can an optometrist see me for an eye emergency in Surrey?
Yes. Optometrists examine and treat many urgent eye problems, including red eye, eye infections, scratches, foreign objects on the surface of the eye, and new flashes and floaters. Guildford Eye Clinic keeps room for urgent concerns and offers same-day appointments when a doctor is available. Call first at (604) 229-9627 so we can fit you in.
Is a red eye an emergency?
Often it is not, but it can be. A red eye with pain, a change in vision, strong light sensitivity, or contact lens wear should be checked the same day. A red eye that is only mildly itchy or irritated, with normal vision and no pain, can usually be booked as a regular visit. When in doubt, call us first.
Are new flashes and floaters an emergency?
A sudden shower of new floaters, repeated flashes of light, or a dark curtain or shadow across your vision should be checked the same day, because these can be signs of a problem with the retina. Call Guildford Eye Clinic at (604) 229-9627 as soon as you notice them. A few old floaters that have not changed are usually not urgent.
What should I do if I get a chemical in my eye?
Start rinsing the eye right away with lots of clean, lukewarm water and keep rinsing for at least 15 minutes, holding the eyelids open. Then go to the nearest emergency department or call 911. If you can, bring the product label. Do not wait to call the clinic before you start rinsing.
Is an urgent eye visit covered by MSP in BC?
A medically necessary eye visit, such as a red eye, eye pain, an injury, an infection, or a sudden change in vision, is covered by MSP for all ages. Guildford Eye Clinic bills MSP directly where it applies. A routine eye exam is a separate visit with its own coverage rules, covered yearly for children 18 and under and seniors 65 and over.
What if the eye problem happens when the clinic is closed?
For a serious eye injury, a chemical splash, or sudden vision loss, go to the nearest hospital emergency department or call 911 at any hour. For advice on whether something can wait, you can call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1. For other urgent eye concerns, call Guildford Eye Clinic as soon as we open at (604) 229-9627.
Should I take out my contact lenses if my eye hurts?
Yes. Take your lenses out if your eye is red, painful, or sensitive to light, unless something feels stuck to the eye. Do not put them back in. Bring the lenses and the case to your visit, since contact lens wearers are at higher risk of a serious corneal infection that needs prompt care.
Is Guildford Eye Clinic the same as Specsavers?
No. Guildford Eye Clinic is an independent optometry clinic run by Dr. Lin and Dr. Xue Optometry, inside Specsavers at Guildford Town Centre in Surrey. Specsavers is the retail dispensary in the same space. We provide the clinical exam and urgent eye care.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for a personalized eye examination or emergency care. If you think you have a serious eye injury or sudden vision loss, go to the nearest emergency department or call 911. Coverage details can change; confirm current MSP rules when you call.