Urgent care facilities are highly accessible options for addressing acute, non-life-threatening medical concerns outside of standard office hours. For many common and uncomplicated eye infections, you can seek treatment at an urgent care center. These walk-in clinics are staffed to diagnose and manage sudden illnesses, including those affecting the outer structures of the eye. Utilizing urgent care for these milder conditions provides timely relief and prevents potential complications from delayed treatment.
Common Eye Infections Urgent Care Can Treat
Urgent care centers are well-equipped to manage the most frequent types of acute eye infections that do not immediately threaten vision. The most common condition treated is conjunctivitis, often called pink eye, which is an inflammation of the clear membrane covering the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids. This infection can be bacterial, which typically presents with a thicker, yellowish or greenish discharge that may cause the eyelids to stick together, or viral, characterized by a more watery or clear discharge alongside redness and a scratchy feeling.
A stye is an infection of an oil gland at the edge of the eyelid, often caused by Staphylococcus bacteria. It appears as a tender, painful red lump and is generally treated with warm compresses and sometimes antibiotic ointment. Minor cases of blepharitis, an inflammation of the eyelids often due to clogged oil glands or bacteria, also fall within the scope of urgent care treatment. Furthermore, a clinician can often remove a simple foreign body, such as an eyelash or a piece of dust that is not embedded in the cornea.
When to Choose the Emergency Room Instead
While urgent care is suitable for minor infections, certain severe symptoms require immediate attention at an emergency room or a specialized ophthalmology clinic. A sudden, significant change in vision, such as partial or total vision loss, signals an ophthalmologic emergency. Severe, unrelenting eye pain that does not improve with over-the-counter medication is another red flag, potentially indicating a deeper infection or a more serious underlying condition.
Immediate emergency medical services are necessary for penetrating injuries, where an object like glass or metal has become embedded in the eye, or any chemical exposure or burn. Attempting to remove an embedded object or neutralize a chemical burn at home can cause further irreparable damage. Symptoms like seeing halos around lights, experiencing nausea or vomiting alongside eye pain, or double vision may suggest acute angle-closure glaucoma. This involves a rapid increase in intraocular pressure that can cause permanent vision loss if not addressed immediately. Any infection accompanied by a high fever or an inability to move the eye normally suggests the infection may have spread to surrounding tissues, like orbital cellulitis, which requires aggressive, specialized treatment.
What to Expect During the Urgent Care Visit
When arriving at the urgent care center for an eye infection, the visit typically begins with an intake process, followed by an assessment of the patient’s visual acuity to establish a baseline. The clinician will conduct an external examination of the eye and surrounding structures, looking for signs of redness, swelling, and discharge. They may use a penlight or, if available, a specialized microscope called a slit lamp to get a magnified view of the cornea and conjunctiva.
To check for a corneal abrasion or ulcer, the provider may apply a sterile paper strip containing fluorescein dye to the eye. Any damage to the cornea will glow under a blue light, aiding in diagnosis. Based on the examination, the provider will prescribe a treatment plan, which commonly involves antibiotic eye drops or ointments for bacterial infections. For viral cases, the treatment will focus on managing symptoms with supportive care, such as artificial tears and cool compresses. Patients are typically advised on proper hygiene and given instructions for follow-up, often recommending a visit to an optometrist or primary care physician if symptoms persist beyond the expected recovery period.