Eye Emergencies in White Bear Lake

Eye Emergencies in White Bear Lake

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

Schedule Eye Exam

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 Birch Lake Eye Clinic for emergency eye care.

Our White Bear Lake optometrists can help you preserve your vision and eye health.

eye emergency treated at Birch Lake Eye Clinic

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!


Give Your Eyes the Care They Deserve

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


Urgent Eye Care in White Bear Lake

Our optometry practice in White Bear Lake

Photograph of Brian Grudem
Hours
  • Monday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
  • Nov. 23 Closed
  • Dec. 25 Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Spectera
  • Superior Vision
  • Davis Vision
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
Patient Reviews
4.9
348 Reviews
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- Sep. 05, 2023
Great care was given to issues with my eyes along with a kind and attentive staff, I would highly re... commend Birch Lake Eye Clinic!
- Aug. 05, 2023
I highly recommend Dr. Lundell & all the staff at Birch Lake Eye Clinic.
- Jul. 31, 2023
Great staff!
- Jun. 12, 2023
Outstanding! went well beyond what I was expecting to accommodate my oddball request in bifocals.
- May. 19, 2023
Very nice environment!! Been going for years
- May. 04, 2023
This clinic - and the personnel all all amazing! I highly recommend it.
- Apr. 22, 2023
Clean, organized, friendly, knowledgeable! A+
- Apr. 18, 2023
Best eye exam ever
- Apr. 06, 2023
Always a pleasant experience
- Apr. 04, 2023
Always amazing service. Personable. I have been going there since I was a kid, and now mine go there... too.
- Mar. 25, 2023
Professional, friendly, knowledgeable and efficient.
- Mar. 17, 2023
Very helpful and pleasant staff and doctors. I would recommend them to anyone.
- Mar. 03, 2023
I've seen Dr Grudem for 15 to 20 years and he is fantastic. I just met Dr. Lucas today and was very ... impressed , I would be very happy to see him if Dr. Grudem was not available .
- Jan. 21, 2023
Dr. Lucas, and the whole staff, have helped our family greatly and treated us with the best care and... respect. Topnotch! We are grateful.
- Jan. 19, 2023
The village eye should be called the happy place.
- Dec. 12, 2022
My family loves the Staff and Dr. Schwantke. They are nice and personable, Always taking the time t... o answer any and all questions my children and I have for them.
- Dec. 12, 2022
Great facility, nice Dr's. best part is with new technology, you don't have to have your eyes dilate... d for most things.
- Dec. 07, 2022
Professional, kind, knowledgeable and fun
- Dec. 05, 2022
Dr. Lucas is one of the best! Birch Lake is a wonderful place to go.
- Dec. 01, 2022
This office has all the latest up-to-date equipment and technology for diagnosing my particular eye ... situation and problem areas. I have been seeing Dr Grudem for over 40 years, so he is like a trusted friend to me.

View All 348 Reviews

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 White Bear Lake 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 White Bear Lake as soon as possible.


Woman with red eyes holding her head

Have an eye emergency?

Protect your vision by contacting Birch Lake Eye Clinic in White Bear Lake without delay!

Schedule Eye Exam