Eye Emergencies in River North

Eye Emergencies in River North

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

(312) 255-1212

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 Wear Eyewear - Chicago for emergency eye care.

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

eye emergency treated at Wear Eyewear - Chicago

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 River North 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 River North as soon as possible.


Meet our Eye Emergencies Doctor

Patient Reviews
4.6
98 Reviews
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- Nov. 22, 2025
Doctor was super friendly, did a great job fitting my contacts, pointed something out I hadn’t not... iced before and gave me options. My last place gave me no options. Availability worked great for me, I work from home and prefer to take my appointments during the work day. It’s hard for me to go to appointments outside of the workday because it’s usually so busy around town. The location is super convenient, and there was no wait at all. The front desk ladies were very friendly as well.
- Oct. 27, 2025
Dr. Potts is the best and the staff is phenomenal as well!!
- Aug. 11, 2025
Very friendly and informative optometrist
- Aug. 08, 2025
Great first experience. Dave helped me out last minute before my friend’s wedding.
- Jul. 31, 2025
Melissa and the entire team were super welcoming, attentive, and knowledgeable. The process was supe... r smooth. I love entering a business where majority of the team is POC. 10/10 recommend!
- Jul. 25, 2025
Great River North eyewear shop with doctor available for exams. Helpful staff and a great selection ... make it top notch.
- Jun. 26, 2025
I just had my first eye appointment there and it went very smoothly. The assistants and Dr. Pitts we... re very calming and friendly. Everyone was very efficient and knowledgeable. Dr. Pitts found a brand very similar to my previous brand of contacts and they feel the same if not better. My only recommendation is to go through the big glass door entrance on Franklin Street. It will seem like you are going into the big gallery space but the office is just up the steps and to the left. Very pleasant environment for waiting. Overall highly recommend.
- Mar. 21, 2025
My first visit here for an eye exam. Friendly, efficient staff. Dr. Pitts was fantastic. Patiently e... xplained everything above and beyond, unlike my experiences with other providers. Highly recommend.
- Dec. 06, 2024
I was impressed with the staff and overall experience.
- Sep. 19, 2024
Vanessa was a pleasure, and such a knowledgeable, patient, and stylish addition to this location. Th... ank you for all the wonderful support, I love the frames we chose.
- Aug. 31, 2024
Great place for the entire family. Quick and thorough for kids as well
- Aug. 26, 2024
Wear Eyewear has been my resource for the past several years. The doctors and staff have been a joy ... and I quickly get the service I need. It's a pleasure to work with them!
- Aug. 16, 2024
Dr. Natalie is incredible and really cares about her patients!! Her staff is kind and knowledgeable ... and I love this practice!
- Aug. 13, 2024
Dr Natalie is the best! I have been coming here since 2019 and have always been super happy with the... service.
- Aug. 02, 2024
The team has been above and beyond in service and conducting eye care with authentic empathy. All of... my questions have been addressed without judgement, and the team was more than ready to help me sort through my insurance situation. Everyone’s demeanor was friendly, understanding, and forgiving. I am not a regular patient here, and this was my first time going, but I was highly impressed with my experience
- Jul. 09, 2024
Just the best doctors and staff. They really take care of your vision and are extremely knowledgeabl... e and professional. Would not turn my eyes over to anyone else.and Dr.Natalie is just great.
- Jun. 04, 2024
Highly recommend!
- May. 09, 2024
Dr. Natalie and the team at Wear are the best. I was a patient here for several years before moving ... and trying a few different optometrists in the following years. I finally came back to Wear and was reminded how personal and friendly they treat all their patients and how awesome, knowledgable and understanding Dr. Natalie is. Best in the city!
- May. 07, 2024
Friendly staff and doctor Pitts was thorough with my eye examination. Eye exam completed quickly and... got my new prescription. Thanks!
- Mar. 03, 2024
I had a really good experience with Wear Eyewear in River North. They carry ic Berlin and were able... to order the frames I wanted but that they didn't stock. Their service was great - they helped me hone in my prescription after I wasn't satisfied with my original prescription from a different company. They weren't pushy on the sales side, which I appreciate. Highly recommended!

View All 98 Reviews

Urgent Eye Care in River North

Our optometry practice in River North

Photograph of Alexander Pitts
Hours
  • Monday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • EyeMed
  • Spectera
  • Davis Vision
  • National Vision Administration (NVA)
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Cigna
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare

Woman with red eyes holding her head

Have an eye emergency?

Protect your vision by contacting Wear Eyewear - Chicago in River North without delay!

(312) 255-1212