Eye Emergencies in Alton

Eye Emergencies in Alton

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

(618) 462-7611

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 Crown Vision Center - Alton for emergency eye care.

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

eye emergency treated at Crown Vision Center - Alton

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 Alton 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 Alton as soon as possible.


Meet our Eye Emergencies Doctor

Patient Reviews
4.5
524 Reviews
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- Nov. 14, 2025
In the 20+ years I've been purchasing glasses on my own as an adult, this was hands down the best ex... perience I've encountered. This particular purchase was utilizing vision insurance I was about to loose as I had recently become unemployed. Knowing that I had a tight budget, the ladies in the office made it happen regardless. All of them were so kind and helpful, especially when it came to helping select frames. They really found frames that fit the shape of my face and character. They weren't just trying to push off something and be done with it as all too often is the experience elsewhere. The staff really went above and beyond to cater to the customer. When two final selections were picked, they even called in some reinforcements for a final opinion. Having not been to this location in several years, other than to browse in years past, I really didn't know what to expect. In just a little over an hour, I had an eye exam, frames that matched the budget I wanted to maintain and a great overall experience. The glasses were ready in about two weeks and fit almost perfectly the first time they were put on. Thanks ladies ! ! !
- Oct. 02, 2025
Love them all so much! We will be forever patients.. My glasses are perfect and I'm so glad my girls... glasses are great also.....We are always excited to go to the eye doctor 😄
- Sep. 25, 2025
Great service
- Sep. 25, 2025
Very pleasant experience
- Sep. 24, 2025
I’ve been coming here for almost 10yrs now and have always been happy. Never had any thoughts of s... witching.BUT TODAYYYYYYY my girl Allison definitely made me a for lifer patient!!!!!!! Once I find a pair of frames that I like, I stick to that same pair until they are no longer available! Well I called today to reordered my glasses because I lost mine, unfortunately they are on back order so I had to pick out a new frame. I’m without a car currently so the 30min drive there to pick out a frame, then come back to pick them up is a little bit a hassle for me. THIS ANGEL let me email her a picture of me with said glasses on, looked through the store then sent multiple pictures back of pairs that were similar or she thought I might like!!! 10/10 customer service. I hope her pillow is always cold at night, her coffee is always the right temp & nothing but blessing for her!
- Aug. 06, 2025
Great job Crown vision
- Jul. 14, 2025
This team is amazing and helpful!!
- Jun. 22, 2025
Great hospitality
- Mar. 17, 2025
Amazing staff!
- Mar. 08, 2025
Easy to schedule appointment online. Online application process is simple and convenient. Staff was ... friendly from start to finish and during pickup. Very little wait time. Great selection of frames. Due to overall experience, I would highly recommend crown.
- Feb. 10, 2025
Quick, easy, very patient 🙂
- Jan. 17, 2025
Made the appointment online. Filled out a little paperwork and received my eye exam at the time of ... my appointment. No insurance so the cost was $114. This is not bad at all. Everyone there was courteous and professional. Would recommend.
- Dec. 11, 2024
Best place to go. These ladies are so kind and patient! 10/10 recommend
- Nov. 09, 2024
A+ very professional friendly and knowledgeable..
- Oct. 29, 2024
Great staff! Efficient and very knowledgeable about insurance. Staff is very accommodating! I wouldn... ’t go anywhere else. Dr. Levi knows what she is doing!
- Oct. 10, 2024
I was on a riverboat cruise and had lost a pad on the nose piece of my glasses. I had suffered for ... 2 days when we arrived in Alton. I took a chance and walked into Crown Vision Center, hoping they might make a repair for a decent price. I was greeted quickly and with kindness. When I explained my problem, the young lady said " I'll repair/replace both nose pads, just give me a minute". She did it in less than five minutes and would not charge me a cent! I would definitely make this my vision center of choice. Thanks you so much for your help and Midwestern hospitality.
- Sep. 15, 2024
Initial Kindergarten vision exam went smooth. Now the only doctor that my 5-yr-old daughter Jade is ... not scared to visit.
- Sep. 04, 2024
Katie was super quick, efficient, and very kind! She also found a few coupons to help with my glasse... s and contacts! The rest of the staff was also very friendly and professional.
- Sep. 03, 2024
Been going for years. Drove from Springfield IL to Alton because they was the only ones that heard m... e about my care. Thank you for listening and hearing me. 💚
- Jul. 27, 2024
Excellent staff! I love the Alton office!

View All 524 Reviews

Urgent Eye Care in Alton

Our optometry practice in Alton

Photograph of Christina  Levi
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • Medicaid
  • Anthem
  • Metlife
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • EyeMed

Woman with red eyes holding her head

Have an eye emergency?

Protect your vision by contacting Crown Vision Center - Alton in Alton without delay!

(618) 462-7611