Can Dry Eyes Cause Headaches?
The discomfort and eye strain from dry eye syndrome can lead to headaches. […]
Eye Care When You Need It Most
Our team provides emergency eye care for injuries and symptoms that need immediate attention. Our diagnostic equipment allows us to quickly assess and diagnose infections, damage, and other eye conditions.
If you experience an eye emergency, call us right away at 780-842-6123. Follow the phone tree instructions to connect with our on-call optometrist.
Even a seemingly minor injury can lead to long-term damage, so don’t wait to get help. If it’s outside regular hours, our on-call optometrist is ready to assist you.
Please note that after-hours care is available only at our Wainwright location, and there is a co-pay fee of $40 for these services.
Signs of an Eye Emergency
There are several reasons why you may find yourself in need of urgent eye care. Signs that can indicate you need emergency eye care include:
- Sudden vision loss
- Injuries to the eye
- Lost contact lens in the eye
- Objects in the eye
- Sudden onset of floaters or flashes
- Scratches, cuts, or abrasions to the eye or eyelid
- Chemical exposure to the eye
- Severe eye pain or discomfort
When to Get Emergency Care
Some emergencies may not be immediately obvious. Keep an eye out for these signs and symptoms, and if you notice any, reach out to us right away:
- Flashes of light or black spots suddenly in your vision
- A “curtain-like” loss of vision
- Uncomfortable, itchy, or irritated eyes
- Bruising around the eye (black eye)
- Seeing sudden halos or rainbows around light
- Loss of peripheral vision
- Sudden hazy or blurred vision, seemingly out of nowhere
- Red, crusty, or swollen eyelids
- Eyelids that will not open because they are swollen or infected
- Sudden double vision
- Sudden red or painful eyes
Common and Uncommon Eye Emergencies
Eye emergencies can happen unexpectedly, so it’s important to know what to do while seeking care. The right actions can address common eye problems quickly.
If you’re unsure whether your symptoms require urgent care, it’s always better to be safe and contact us for advice. Simply call 780-842-6123 and follow the phone tree instructions to connect with our on-call optometrist. For after-hours emergencies, if you’re unable to reach us, please visit the nearest emergency room or urgent care center for immediate assistance.
Foreign objects like metal or organic materials can become embedded in the cornea or conjunctiva, causing discomfort and potential damage. Whether it’s dust, debris, or small particles, we can safely and effectively remove these from your eye.
Do not attempt to remove an embedded foreign body yourself.
If you experience a chemical eye injury, immediately flush the affected eye with cool tap water for at least 15 minutes. This can help minimize damage and soothe the eye. After rinsing, contact us for an emergency appointment or head to the nearest emergency room.
If possible, bring the chemical container to assist in treatment.
Any blow to the head or eyes warrants an immediate professional evaluation. Injuries such as scratches (corneal abrasions), blunt trauma, or penetrating wounds require urgent care to assess the damage and protect your vision.
Sudden vision changes can signal serious conditions like retinal detachment, glaucoma, or vascular occlusions.
We offer fast diagnostic services to quickly determine the cause and begin treatment. New flashes or floaters may indicate retinal issues, and we perform thorough exams to rule out potential retinal tears or detachments.
Flashes of light or sudden floaters in your vision can be signs of changes in the retina. While floaters are often harmless, a sudden increase in flashes or floaters could indicate a retinal tear or detachment, which requires urgent attention.
At Prairie Vision, our team can quickly assess your eyes using advanced retinal imaging and dilated exams to determine the cause and provide timely treatment to protect your vision.
Don’t Wait, Get Help Now
Eye emergencies require immediate attention to prevent long-term damage. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned or have sustained an eye injury, contact Prairie Vision right away.
Call us at 780-842-6123 and follow the phone tree instructions to reach our on-call optometrist. Our team is here to help you get the care you need whenever you need it. Your vision is too important to delay; call us today for fast, reliable emergency eye care.
Come Visit Our Locations
Wainwright
We serve patients of all ages from Wainwright, Viking, Provost, Lloydminster, Macklin, and the surrounding areas.
Our Address
- 2802 15th Ave, Unit 2
- Wainwright, AB T9W 0A4
Contact Us
- Phone: 587-606-0270
- Fax: 780-842-3443
- Email: [email protected]
Our Hours
Monday:
9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday:
8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday:
8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday:
8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday:
8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday:
Closed
Sunday:
Closed
Vermilion
We serve patients of all ages from Kitscoty, Mannville, Elk Point, Dewberry, and the surrounding areas.
Our Address
- 5010 50 Street
- Vermilion, AB T9X 1M5
Contact Us
- Phone: 587-606-0394
- Fax: 780-853-6504
- Email: [email protected]
Our Hours
Monday:
9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday:
Closed
Sunday:
Closed
Blog
How Long Does Eye Fatigue Last?
For most people, eye fatigue is temporary and can resolve within an hour after resting your eyes, but persistent discomfort can last for days if the underlying cause isn’t addressed. […]
When Should You Wear Scleral Contact Lens?
Scleral lenses are recommended when traditional contact lenses or glasses cannot provide comfortable, clear vision, often for people with irregular corneas, advanced dry eye, or other complex eye conditions.
[…]
What Is a Diabetic Eye Exam?
A diabetic eye exam is a screening that focuses on catching vision-threatening complications that might stem from diabetes before they permanently affect your sight.
[…]
What Are Progressive Lenses?
Progressive lenses offer multiple prescription strengths in a single lens. This is helpful for people who need vision correction at multiple distances, allowing them to see well without the hassle of numerous pairs of glasses.
[…]
Is There Vision Therapy for Children?
The good news is that there are vision therapy options for children that can help. […]
Can Dry Eye Cause Floaters?
The reality is that dry eye itself doesn’t directly cause floaters. Nonetheless, the 2 conditions can sometimes be interconnected due to underlying factors within the eye. […]
What Is IPL Eye Treatment for Dry Eyes?
Intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment for dry eyes is a noninvasive therapy that uses light energy to help reduce inflammation, restore oil gland function, and improve tear quality.
IPL can offer longer-lasting relief by targeting a common root cause of symptoms, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).
[…]
Why Does My Eyelid Hurt When I Blink?
Plenty of common reasons for eyelid discomfort include eye strain, dryness, allergies, pink eye, and styes. Understanding the underlying differences in these causes can help you take steps to finding relief and recognize when to see an optometrist. […]
Can Myopia Be Reversed?
Myopia, often referred to as nearsightedness, is one of the most common refractive errors in the world today. It’s caused by an abnormal development in the eye’s shape. Unfortunately, once the eye physically changes, myopia cannot be reversed. Although, it’s important to note that some effective myopia control options are available to slow or stop […]
Excessive Blinking in Children: Could It Be a Vision Problem?
As parents, it’s natural to worry when you notice unusual behaviour in your child, such as excessive blinking. While it may be a temporary habit, excessive blinking in children could indicate a vision problem, such as dry eyes, eye allergies, or the need for vision correction. A children’s eye exam can assess your child’s vision […]
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How Long Do Contact Lenses Last?
Contact lenses offer a convenient and flexible alternative to glasses in vision correction. Understanding the lifespan of your contacts can help you avoid exposing your eyes to lenses that are past their prime—keeping your eyes from drying out, getting irritated, or developing an infection. However, the longevity of contact lenses depends on their type. Some […]
What’s the Difference Between a Contact Lens Prescription & Glasses Prescription
Glasses work with lenses hovering a few millimetres away from your eyes, but contact lenses sit directly on your corneas. This distance must be accounted for when determining the prescription. […]
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Does Wearing Glasses Make Your Eyes Worse?
In reality, wearing the appropriate prescription glasses can help alleviate strain and improve visual clarity, allowing you to see the world as it’s meant to be seen. […]
Amblyopia vs. Strabismus: What’s the Difference?
While they’re often mistaken or confused for each other, they differ in terms of how your eyes move. Amblyopia is commonly known as “lazy eye”, while strabismus refers to having “crossed eyes”. […]
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Can Dry Eye Cause Blurred Vision?
If you’ve been experiencing blurred vision and wondering if dry eye is to blame, you’re in the right place. Dry eye can cause blurred vision because of:
Tear film instability
Inflammation
Corneal Damage […]
When Is It Too Late to Treat Lazy Eye?
Lazy eye can be treated using a variety of tools like vision therapy, prism eyeglasses, and surgery. Treatment is most effective during childhood, but it’s never too late to treat lazy eye! […]
Why Is My Baby Rubbing Their Eyes?
Your baby could be rubbing their eyes for several reasons, including tiredness, allergies, irritated eyes, or infection. […]
Why Am I Waking Up with Dry Eyes? Causes & Treatments
The reasons behind morning eye dryness vary widely, including:
Insufficient sleep
Allergic reactions
Irritation from contact lenses
Dehydration
Certain medications
Environmental conditions
An underlying infection […]
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Does Alberta Health Care Cover Eye Exams?
Eye exams are only covered under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) for children 18 and under, adults over 65, and those who need an eye exam that is deemed “medically necessary” because of trauma or another medical condition. […]
What Is Binocular Vision Dysfunction & How Is It Tested?
During a comprehensive eye exam, an optometrist can check how well the eyes and brain work together. Then, they’ll likely recommend vision therapy—a treatment designed to retrain your visual system to work seamlessly! […]
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What Causes Astigmatism to Worsen?
While many people live with astigmatism without experiencing a significant change in their condition, some may notice a worsening of symptoms if left untreated, with age, and if accompanied by other eye conditions. […]
Do Eye Drops Expire?
Eye drops expire, but they’re generally safe to use until they reach their expiration date. They lose their effectiveness after they expire and may not be as helpful—there’s also a risk of infection. Stay safe and avoid using expired eye drops. […]
What Is Commonly Misdiagnosed as Pink Eye?
Red, watery, uncomfortable eyes—is it pink eye or something else? Many patients may wonder whether they should visit their optometrist right away for an exam or wait to see if their symptoms go away with time. While these symptoms can mean you have pink eye, they may also be something else—like dry eyes, keratitis, or glaucoma. […]
Myopia vs. Hyperopia: What’s the Difference?
Your eyes play an important role in your everyday life, but that doesn’t mean they’ll always be perfect. Refractive errors, like myopia and hyperopia, affect millions of people in Canada. While they share some symptoms and can both be treated with the help of your optometrist, there are some key differences between myopia and hyperopia. […]
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How Often Should You Get an Eye Exam?
Our eyes are remarkable organs that grant us the gift of sight, allowing us to perceive the world around us. However, like all aspects of our health, our eyes require regular care and attention. Eye exams are a fundamental component of maintaining your vision and identifying potential eye health issues, and should be a regular […]
What Are Bifocal Glasses and How Do They Work?
When it comes to correcting refractive errors, there are many solutions available. And when dealing with issues like presbyopia, a common solution is bifocal lenses. These lenses contain 2 different prescriptions within a single lens—one for near vision, and one for distance vision, allowing for convenient vision correction for common age-related refractive errors. What Are […]
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Can You Sleep with Contact Lenses?
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How to Tell If Your Sunglasses Are Polarized
Sunglasses are a great way of protecting your eyes from sun damage and keeping you comfortable when you’re playing or working outside. But not all sunglasses are made equal. For example, if you spend a lot of time around water or large reflective surfaces, polarized sunglasses could be a great option. Fortunately, it’s not hard […]
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How to Properly Clean Your Glasses: A Step-by-Step Guide
For a quick glasses clean, most of us are guilty of a quick breath on the lenses and wiping them on our shirts. But this isn’t an ideal way to clean glasses and could damage your stylish prescription glasses. Rinsing with clean water, using a cleaning solution or a gentle soap, and wiping dry with […]
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Does Wearing Glasses Make Your Eyes Worse?
In reality, wearing the appropriate prescription glasses can help alleviate strain and improve visual clarity, allowing you to see the world as it’s meant to be seen. […]
Test 3
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Amblyopia vs. Strabismus: What’s the Difference?
While they’re often mistaken or confused for each other, they differ in terms of how your eyes move. Amblyopia is commonly known as “lazy eye”, while strabismus refers to having “crossed eyes” […]
Read More… from Amblyopia vs. Strabismus: What’s the Difference?
Test 2
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat […]
Can Dry Eye Cause Blurred Vision?
If you’ve been experiencing blurred vision and wondering if dry eye is to blame, you’re in the right place. Dry eye can cause blurred vision because of: Tear film instability Inflammation… […]
Test 1
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat […]
What to Expect at a Kids Eye Exam
As your child grows and develops, their eyes are constantly changing. This can make it difficult for them, or you, to realize they’re having a problem with their vision. With so many things in their early years depending on their vision, it’s vital that they attend regular eye exams to make sure their eyes are […]
Can I Wear Blue Light Glasses All the Time?
A friend may recommend blue light glasses if your eyes hurt when looking at digital screens like your computer. These glasses can help filter blue light for however long you wear them. If you’re a frequent screen user, you might wonder if you can wear these glasses all day. While you can wear your blue […]
What Is a Contact Lens Fitting?
Contact lenses are a great option for those who do not want to have corrective laser surgery or do not want to be constantly wearing glasses. As with any other corrective measures for your vision, an eye exam will determine what is needed to make you see clearly. Much like a regular eye exam, a […]
Where Should Glasses Sit On Your Nose?
Many people need glasses to help them see, but only some know how to find a properly fitted frame for their face. A good pair of glasses should rest comfortably on the bridge of your nose and not press against your brow or cheeks. However, they shouldn’t be so close to the tip of your […]
How Long Does an Eye Exam Take?
Planning for Your Eye Exam When it’s time for your routine eye appointment, or you’re ready to update your frames or lenses, how much time should you set aside? A complete eye exam usually takes less than an hour. However, the length of your exam depends on the tests performed and your individual eye care […]
Do Contact Lenses Expire?
It’s best to play it safe when it comes to your eyes. You should have your eyes examined regularly and take proper care of the prescription glasses or contact lenses that your eye doctor prescribes. If you’ve ever looked at the box your contacts came in, you might have noticed an expiration date on the […]
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About Us
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Our Locations
Wainwright
- 2802 15th Ave, Unit 2
- Wainwright, AB T9W 0A4
- Phone: 587-606-0270
- Fax: 780-842-3443
- Email: [email protected]
Vermilion
- 5010 50 Street
- Vermilion, AB T9X 1M5
- Phone: 587-606-0394
- Fax: 780-853-6504
- Email: [email protected]