Whether you’re dealing with a metal splinter from a home project, a toddler’s fingernail, or an eye that’s suddenly red and leaking, you need care that’s both urgent and trustworthy.
At Estrella Mountain Eye Care, our Avondale optometrists offer same-day emergency eye exams for patients in Avondale and the surrounding West Valley. We treat foreign bodies, contact lens complications, eye infections, sudden vision loss, and more.
We're right off Dysart & McDowell—just past Fry’s—which makes it easy to reach us from Goodyear or Litchfield Park.
Red or Pink Eyes: What You Should Know
Red or pink eyes are common, and most people will deal with them at some point. While some causes are mild, others can signal a more serious problem that requires emergency eye care. We help patients understand what is behind their symptoms, when home care is appropriate, and when to schedule an eye exam.
Red or pink eyes happen when the blood vessels on the surface of the eye become irritated or swollen. Allergies, dry eyes, smoke, dust, and chlorine are frequent triggers in our desert climate. Contact lens overwear, eye injuries, and infections, including pink eye or conjunctivitis, are also common reasons for redness. In more rare cases, red eyes may point to conditions like glaucoma or uveitis that require prompt medical care.
For mild irritation, artificial tears, cool compresses, and taking a break from contact lenses or screens can help. If your redness lasts more than a couple of days, keeps returning, or is paired with pain, light sensitivity, or vision changes, it is time to see an eye doctor for immediate eye care in Avondale, AZ.
Pink Eye and When to Seek Eye Care in Avondale
Pink eye is one of the most common reasons patients seek emergency eye care, especially during back to school season. There are a variety of different causes and symptoms, depending on what type of pink eye you're experiencing:
- Viral and bacterial conjunctivitis can spread quickly. Kids often wake up with goopy lashes, swollen lids, and red or pink eyes that worsen through the day.
- Bacterial conjunctivitis benefits from prescription drops to shorten the infection and limit contagiousness, while viral pink eye often accompanies a cold and can spread through coughs or sneezes.
- Allergic conjunctivitis is not contagious and usually comes with itching and watery eyes during high pollen seasons or with pet dander exposure.
Because each of these types can look similar, a proper diagnosis matters. Eye exams for conjunctivitis include a slit lamp evaluation to check for issues that can mimic pink eye, such as corneal abrasions or uveitis. Early treatment can relieve discomfort and prevent complications.
Know When Red Eyes Are an Emergency
Call us right away if you have:
- sudden or severe pain
- reduced or blurred vision
- light sensitivity
- significant discharge
- swelling
- redness in only one eye that does not improve.
If you are ever unsure, it is safest to schedule a visit and let your eye doctor take a look.
When to Call Us vs. When to Head to the ER
We’re here to handle most eye emergencies—but some conditions need immediate hospital care. Here’s a simple guide:
Call us first if you have:
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Something stuck in your eye (like metal, wood, or glass)
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Sudden blurry vision, light flashes, or new floaters
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Eye infections, pink eye, or painful styes
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Redness, itching, or burning that’s not improving
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Contact lens-related injuries or discomfort
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Eye injuries in children
Go to the ER if you’re experiencing:
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A chemical burn that won’t stop stinging
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A deep laceration or trauma with uncontrolled bleeding
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Sudden, total vision loss in one or both eyes
Many eye emergencies can be treated at our Avondale eye care clinic without the wait or cost of an ER visit. Most of these visits are billed to your medical insurance, not your vision plan.
What to Bring and What to Expect
Our emergency eye exams in Avondale are thorough but efficient. If you’re coming in for a same-day visit, please bring:
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A valid photo ID
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Your medical insurance card
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Any eye drops or medications you’ve already tried
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Your current glasses or contacts, if applicable
We’ll check your visual acuity, evaluate your symptoms, and use specialized tools to examine the surface and internal structures of the eye. If necessary, we’ll remove foreign materials, prescribe medication, or coordinate further care with an ophthalmologist or emergency room.
Trusted Emergency Eye Doctors in Avondale
The West Valley is growing fast—and that means more families, more weekend warriors, and more kids playing hard. We’re proud to serve our community with the kind of emergency care that’s local, reliable, and ready when you need it most. From contact lens mishaps to scratched corneas, our eye care team is trained to assess and treat urgent issues the same day.
Call our office Estrella Mountain Eye Care in Avondale, AZ at 623-845-1400 during business hours for further instructions! We are here for you!
Eye Emergency FAQ
What does pink eye look like?
Pink eye usually causes the white part of the eye to look pink or red. The eye may appear irritated, swollen, or watery, and you might notice discharge that can be clear, yellow, or green. In some cases, especially after sleeping, the discharge can cause the eyelids to stick together.
How long is pink eye contagious?
How long pink eye is contagious depends on the cause. Viral pink eye is typically contagious as long as symptoms like redness and tearing are present, often several days to a week. Bacterial pink eye is usually contagious until about 24 hours after starting antibiotic eye drops. Allergic pink eye is not contagious.
How do you know if you have pink eye?
You may have pink eye if you notice redness in one or both eyes along with itching, burning, tearing, or discharge. Other signs can include a gritty feeling in the eye, light sensitivity, or crusting on the eyelids. An eye doctor can confirm the diagnosis and determine the cause so you get the right treatment.
