Eye Emergencies in Pittsburgh

Eye Emergencies in Pittsburgh

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

(412) 884-2020

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 Bittel Vision Care Center - Caste Village for emergency eye care.

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

eye emergency treated at Bittel Vision Care Center - Caste Village

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 Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh as soon as possible.

Patient Reviews
4.5
160 Reviews
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- Jul. 18, 2024
Everyone was so friendly and efficient Very personable staff and doctors
- Jul. 10, 2024
Dr. Mehalik is very nice as are the staff. Only problem is when you try to call them, no one answer... s. What if you have an issue?
- Jun. 18, 2024
Highest recommendations for Dr. Bittel. Been here for 20 years and am a regular patient of Dr R. and... Dr M. Bittel. Very helpful in tracking a potential eye problem to ensure it is caught and treated if it worsens. Lessons the worry and stress on my part knowing they are actively monitoring to ensure it does not worsen.
- Jun. 13, 2024
Dr. Nault is a good, nice and friendly Doctor. The staff is great too.
- Jun. 07, 2024
Bittel Vision is great. The doctor Bittels are both fantastic. Everyone that works there is really n... ice and helpful. It's a good environment. I'd recommend it to anyone
- Jun. 02, 2024
Highly recommend Dr. Mehalik. She was sweet and caring while listening to concerns and using her pro... fessional opinion to get me what I needed. Thank you!
- May. 09, 2024
Excellent service, friendly and respectful staff. Roxanne is an asset to the business. Highly recom... mend.
- May. 02, 2024
I've been going to Bittel Vision for 27 years and will continue forever!!
- Apr. 30, 2024
My mom fell n destroyed her glasses Roxanne was so helpful and kind. Took the time to look up my mom... s name. Will get back to me snd offered to help find a fast place to get new glasses since mom is in the hospital and needs them. Outstanding customer service especially since it’s been 6 years that she was seen !!
- Apr. 01, 2024
Everyone is nice and efficient
- Mar. 06, 2024
I love getting my exam here. I just had dr. Mihalek hook me up with some contacts (nicely rebated) a... nd even adjusted my script so that my left and right are the same strength. Some a$$hole doctors frown upon this, but she was like, I get it, sometimes you get a pair mixed up and it’s hard to keep changing them to figure out which belongs where. Also, I didn’t want to have my pupes dialated (more like violated) because I need to drive tonight and she was cool once again and said we’ll, we can go there next time, then she did a quick look with a magnifying mirror just to make sure my poor decisions in life don’t allow me to go blind. Now that’s a good one there. A doctor that listens to you and then makes a compromise with you while still keeping u safe. Dr. Mihalek is very 😎! -Marc
- Mar. 03, 2024
My favorite eye care specialist to see. Life long patient.
- Feb. 07, 2024
showes concern regarding my issues.
- Jan. 25, 2024
Been going here since I was a kid. Love Bittel Optical.
- Jan. 23, 2024
Excellent service
- Jan. 09, 2024
Had a great experience visiting for an eye check and new glasses.
- Dec. 29, 2023
Dr. Mehalik and the entire staff made me feel very comfortable and very well informed about my eye h... ealth.
- Dec. 28, 2023
Convenient, friendly staff and short wait times.
- Dec. 27, 2023
Good Eye Care And Good Service…. Very Personable As Well. 🙏🙌🏼 @gothhopromeo
- Dec. 27, 2023
Everyone, from the staff to the doctor, was very kind and friendly. They really cares about me as a ... patient and I had a great experience.

View All 160 Reviews

Urgent Eye Care in Pittsburgh

Our optometry practice in Pittsburgh

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Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 7:30 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
  • Saturday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Spectera
  • Medicaid
  • Anthem
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue Cross
  • MetLife
  • Aetna

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Have an eye emergency?

Protect your vision by contacting Bittel Vision Care Center - Caste Village in Pittsburgh without delay!

(412) 884-2020