Eye Emergencies in Harrisburg

Eye Emergencies in Harrisburg

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

(717) 657-5030

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 Kirn Family Eye Care for emergency eye care.

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

eye emergency treated at Kirn Family Eye Care

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 Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg as soon as possible.

Patient Reviews
4.5
38 Reviews
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- Dec. 18, 2024
Courteous and professional.
- Dec. 17, 2024
Doctor and the office members are all professional and friendly!
- Nov. 27, 2024
I have been a patient at Kirn Family Eye Care for over 20 years. Both Dr. Kirn and Dr. White are exc... ellent at their job. Screenings are done for certain conditions on a regular basis to make sure that no problems exist. They are friendly and make you feel comfortable, like you are one of their family. I highly recommend both of them.
- Nov. 20, 2024
Excellent care and service! I was able to get an appointment the same day with an eye concern!
- Nov. 11, 2024
Dr. White is one of the most caring and understanding, not just doctor, but humans I have encountere... d in my life. She listens and really hears you when you see her. As someone dealing with some not so common issues, she has helped me clear up issues ive had for over a decade and also made sure to provide a referral to the best options for things outside of her specialty. I will recommend Dr. White to every person I can. She is a life-saver!!
- Nov. 05, 2024
Dr. Daniel Kirn truly exceeds all expectations, making every visit to the Kirn Family an exciting an... d memorable appointment!
- Oct. 11, 2024
Dr White is the best and very kind.
- Sep. 05, 2024
Great Doctors and Friendly staff..
- Nov. 27, 2023
Very professional and very polite.
- Dec. 01, 2021
They are always kindand helpful.
- Jan. 29, 2021
I had a great experience with this office for 3 years. Doctors including the staff are friendly, pat... ient and very helpful. Thanks!
- Feb. 20, 2020
Went in for an eye appointment, they made me feel super comfortable, and everyone was pleasant and f... un to talk to! Dr. White listened to everything I had to say, made me feel comfortable about being there, and I wasn't as scared as I usually am. The woman who helped me pick out my glasses was wonderful and the receptionists were very friendly! Overall, great experience!
- Aug. 19, 2019
I've been a patient of Dr. White since she and her husband opened their practice together. I am one... of those people whose eye sight has to be exactly "right on" and Dr. White comes through each time. She is patient, kind, extremely knowledgeable in her field, very concerned about her patients, etc...I could go on and on. I would never trust my eyes to anyone else. I think that says it all!
- Nov. 08, 2018
Always a pleasant experience and everyone is friendly. I have been going to Kirn Family Eye Care my ... entire life. I had an emergency one time and they were able to get me in. This truly is a great family business!
- May. 30, 2018
Dr. Kirn has been my families PEC provider for years. I recommend Kirns Family Eyecare to all my fa... mily and friends... Great customer service and nice selection of the lates glasses.
- Mar. 10, 2018
Nice evirenment and doctor is very friendly and professional.
- Jan. 22, 2018
Great experiences here. I've been seeing eye doctors since I was in second grade (So, like 30+ year... s). Kirn Family Eye care has met my expectations in every way. Staff is very friendly. They have ample evening hours. Lately, I've been seeing Dr. White and she's great. I had seen Dr. Kirn in the past. He was great, too. I gladly recommend them to anyone.
- Jun. 24, 2016
Staff is so friendly!! They are helpful and knowledge and great with kids! My 1 yr old needed glasse... s and they were so efficient and got her exactly what she needed!
- May. 04, 2016
I didn't have to wait, the staff was very friendly and helpful, and they knew exactly what to do - ... very professional. Thanks!

View All 38 Reviews

Urgent Eye Care in Harrisburg

Our optometry practice in Harrisburg

Photograph of Daniel  Kirn
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Aetna
  • Aetna Medicare
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Highmark
  • Cigna
  • EyeMed
  • VSP
  • VBA
  • National Vision Administration (NVA)
  • Meritain Health
  • Davis Vision
  • UPMC Health Plan
  • Medicare
  • Geisinger

Woman with red eyes holding her head

Have an eye emergency?

Protect your vision by contacting Kirn Family Eye Care in Harrisburg without delay!

(717) 657-5030