Eye Emergencies in Knoxville

Eye Emergencies in Knoxville

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

(865) 966-2020

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 The Eye Group - Kingston Pike for emergency eye care.

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

eye emergency treated at The Eye Group - Kingston Pike

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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville as soon as possible.


Patient Reviews
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553 Reviews
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- Mar. 27, 2025
Great customer service! The staff and doctors are friendly and helpful. Highly recommend!
- Mar. 09, 2025
Highly recommend! This is the only place we use for our eye care needs!
- Mar. 08, 2025
Extremely professional, personal, and friendly staff. Medical services were second to none. I was pr... ovided with a comprehensive description of my condition and a plan of action to deal with my diagnosis.
- Feb. 13, 2025
Great Doctor and staff. Would highly recommend!
- Feb. 05, 2025
Dr. Cross is the best!!
- Jan. 06, 2025
While I didnt get an eye exam here, I did need the assistance of the receptionist who was outstandin... g helping me out on a stressful day. I was just trying to find a place the accepted my insurance the the lady (wish I had gotten her name - she wears glasses) was 100% awesome. When I got there, a younger lady helped me for an hour to decide which frames were best for me. I depended on their honest opinions. I would totally go back. Great service all around.
- Dec. 22, 2024
Great Place - Great People - Proud Patient of over 18yrs !
- Nov. 15, 2024
Dr. Manning and his staff are great
- Nov. 14, 2024
I've been going to the Eye Group for two years now and the doctors and staff have been excellent!
- Nov. 04, 2024
Great experience. Staff very friendly and patient.
- Oct. 18, 2024
I was very impressed by the staff and doctor. They were professional, knowledgeable, and thorough.
- Oct. 09, 2024
Courtesy professional timely informative
- Sep. 18, 2024
Dr. Lain has taken great care of myself and late husband. Trust him and respect him.
- Aug. 28, 2024
Caring, Knowledgeable friendly staff.
- Aug. 10, 2024
Highly recommend Dr.Amburn, so thoughtful and a great listener. My new prescription has allowed me t... o see the best I have ever seen, I am extremely grateful.
- Jul. 20, 2024
A positive experience with all staff. They were informative, genuinely caring, knowledgable, client... centered, and attentive to my input and questions.
- Jul. 11, 2024
Caring professional group. Addressed my concerns completely and made me comfortable with my choices....
- Jun. 27, 2024
Customer service was outstanding. The staff are very knowledgeable and treat u with respect. Dr. A... mbrose was excellent, I have seen him several times and he is always on top of his game. I will always use the Eye Group.
- Jun. 15, 2024
I have been going to The Eye Group for 28 years. The doctors are thorough and thoughtful. The staff... has always been courteous and pleasant. If I have ever had an issue, they have gone above and beyond to correct it.
- May. 11, 2024
Dr. Lain takes time to consider my questions and answer them in a manner commensurate with my backgr... ound. He shows interest in me and asks about my family. Furthermore, he spends the necessary time with me to ensure I have the correct prescription for optimal eyesight. I also appreciate that he discusses improvements in eyewear and let's me make decisions about my vision needs after providing me with facts. I highly recommend Dr. Lain as an eye care physician and am blessed to have him as a friend.

View All 553 Reviews

Urgent Eye Care in Knoxville

Our optometry practice in Knoxville

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Hours
  • Monday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Thursday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Spectera
  • Superior Vision
  • Davis Vision
  • Tricare
  • Anthem
  • EyeMed
  • Avesis
  • AARP
  • AlwaysCare
  • Amerigroup
  • TriWest
  • EyeQuest
  • Blue Care
  • TennCare

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Have an eye emergency?

Protect your vision by contacting The Eye Group - Kingston Pike in Knoxville without delay!

(865) 966-2020