At the CARE Clinic, on the North Shore of Greater Montreal, the optometrist assesses emergencies affecting the front of the eye (red eye, pain, foreign body, chemical burn, infected eyelid, corneal abrasion, uveitis). For flashes of light, sudden floaters, sudden vision loss, or double vision, contact ophthalmology or the hospital emergency department directly — the CARE Clinic does not consult on these situations and will redirect you by phone.
.png){kind=logo}
.png){kind=logo}
.png)
The term emergency doesn’t always mean the same thing. An irritated eye from dust, pain with contact lenses, sudden vision loss, or chemical exposure do not require the same approach.
Triage starts over the phone, even before the consultation: chemical exposure = immediate rinsing for 15 minutes with water; sudden vision loss = likely back of the eye involvement, directed straight to ophthalmology; intense pain with contact lenses = corneal involvement until proven otherwise, assessed at the clinic.
If vision suddenly decreases, if a chemical touches the eye, if an object is embedded, or if neurological symptoms appear, use the appropriate emergency resources without going through the clinic.
THE CARE EXPERIENCE
The optometrist considers the sudden onset, vision, pain, contact lenses, chemical exposure, or trauma to guide the next steps.
At the clinic, the optometrist checks the front of the eye; signs related to the back of the eye are directed to ophthalmology.
Based on the observed signs, the optometrist can provide care at the clinic or refer over the phone to ophthalmology or a hospital emergency department.
Symptômes
Pain, decreased vision, intense redness, foreign body, painful lens, or new light flashes change the course of action — and guide the phone triage.
01
Severe, new, or worsening pain increases the urgency, especially if vision or light sensitivity is affected.
02
Sudden vision loss, even if it returns, requires prompt evaluation.
03
Redness, pain, light sensitivity, or blurred vision require prompt evaluation.
A persistent sensation after dust, metal, wood, or other foreign object projection should be checked.
A chemical exposure requires immediate rinsing and urgent medical attention.
Redness, pain, or altered vision with contact lenses may indicate corneal damage.
Bright flashes, new floaters, or a shadow in the visual field require immediate attention.
New onset double vision, especially if accompanied by other symptoms, should be taken seriously.
"
In an eye emergency, the optometrist first checks by phone if the situation can be assessed at the clinic for the front of the eye, or if it needs to be redirected to ophthalmology or the emergency department of a hospital without an appointment with us.
Dr. Francesca Olinga, optometrist
Overview
Irritated or scratched eye surface, sudden vision loss, chemical exposure, or deep painful redness: these 4 situations do not lead to the same resources — clinic for the front of the eye, phone redirection for the rest.
To mention during the call or evaluation
Surface, vision, chemical trauma, or deep redness?
Scratched eye surface, sudden vision loss, chemical exposure, or deep painful redness: each profile leads to different actions — clinical care for the front of the eye, phone redirection to ophthalmology or the hospital for the rest.
01
Surface
Dust, foreign body, abrasion, or painful contact lens may affect the cornea or conjunctiva — assessed in the clinic.
Signs
•
Foreign body sensation
•
Pain while blinking
•
Painful lens
02
Vision
Sudden vision loss, flashes, floaters, or a dark curtain: phone referral to ophthalmology, no appointment needed at the clinic.
Signs
•
Decreased vision
•
Flashes of light
•
Shadow or curtain
03
Exposure
Chemical splash, cut, puncture, or foreign object require urgent action — phone referral to hospital emergency.
Signs
•
Immediate flushing
•
Embedded object
•
Cut or laceration
04
Redness
Redness with pain, light sensitivity, halos, nausea, or a changed pupil may require a phone referral to ophthalmology.
Signs
•
Photophobia
•
Halos or nausea
•
Changed pupil
Tableaux à reconnaître rapidement
01
The optometrist considers the onset, duration, trauma, contact lenses, chemical exposure, recent surgery, and general symptoms to determine the next steps.
02
At the clinic, the optometrist checks the front of the eye; signs that suggest a condition affecting the back of the eye are referred to ophthalmology.
03
Depending on the observed signs, the optometrist can provide care at the clinic for the front of the eye, or refer by phone to ophthalmology or a hospital emergency room.
Situations
Redness with a foreign body, a corneal scratch, or a painful lens may suggest an infection or corneal involvement—all situations at the front of the eye, treated in the clinic. Intense pain with severe light sensitivity may indicate inflammation at the front of the eye (anterior uveitis), also treated here.
Vision loss with flashes or dark curtain may indicate retinal detachment or a blocked vessel at the back of the eye: these situations are directed by phone straight to ophthalmology on the same day, without an appointment at the clinic. An eye pressure crisis (intense pain, halos around lights, nausea) or deep infection around the eye (fever, very swollen eyelid) are redirected to emergency ophthalmology or hospital emergency.
The front of the eye (eyelids, white of the eye, cornea) is treated at the clinic. The back of the eye (retina, gel inside, optic nerve) is not assessed here—it is directly referred by phone to ophthalmology.
Risk factors
Click a factor to learn more
Perspective
A superficial irritation may sometimes resolve on its own, but a decrease in vision, intense pain, exposure to chemicals, trauma, or flashes of light necessitate a prompt consultation or telephone redirection to ophthalmology.
Superficial irritation may sometimes go away in a few hours. But microbial keratitis under contact lenses, severe chemical burns, trauma with globe involvement, acute angle-closure glaucoma, retinal detachment, or orbital cellulitis can develop within hours and threaten vision.
The useful question is not just about intensity. Vision loss, sudden symptoms, or chemical exposure changes the necessary caution.
Chemical exposure, embedded object, sudden vision loss, dark curtain, bright flashes, intense pain, sudden double vision, or neurological signs require immediate guidance — these situations are not assessed in clinic but redirected by phone to the right resource.
Rinse immediately with water and use emergency resources — phone redirection to a hospital emergency room.
Urgent
Do not remove the object; phone redirection to a hospital emergency room, no clinic visit required.
Urgent
Sudden decrease in vision, even if temporary: phone redirection to ophthalmology; no clinic appointment.
Urgent
These signs require an urgent retinal evaluation — referred by phone to ophthalmology, no appointment needed at the clinic.
Urgent
This combination may indicate high eye pressure — telephone referral to emergency ophthalmology.
Urgent
Three questions structure the triage: is vision affected? Has there been a hit, a chemical, or a projected object? Does the symptom affect the front of the eye or seem to come from the back?
Front of the eye: treated in clinic. Back of the eye: redirected by phone to ophthalmology the same day, without an appointment at the clinic. Major trauma, severe burn, eye pressure crisis, or deep infection: hospital emergency, without going through the clinic.
Schedule an assessment
An optometrist and founder of the CARE Clinic, Dr. Francesca Olinga understands dry eye because she has experienced it. Experienced in the management of complex cases (neuropathic pain, demodex, chalazions), she uses innovation and attentive listening to guide you toward improved eye comfort.
Optometrist with over 30 years of experience and speaker for eye care professionals. Dr. Nguyen has experience in improving visual quality affected by dry eye. She supports her patients in reconciling their aesthetic goals (makeup, cosmetics) and optimal eye comfort.
An optometrist and member of theOOQ, Dr. Daniel Nguyen splits his practice between eye exams in an optometry clinic and advanced management of dry eye conditions at the CARE Clinic. This dual practice provides him with a comprehensive view of his patients' visual health, from routine screenings to cutting-edge therapeutic protocols. dry eye Biography of Karine Charbonneau
