Eye Emergencies in Spring Branch

Eye Emergencies in Spring Branch

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

(830) 980-3306

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 Hill Country Vision Center - Bulverde for emergency eye care.

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

eye emergency treated at Hill Country Vision Center - Bulverde

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 Spring Branch 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 Spring Branch as soon as possible.


Meet our Eye Emergencies Specialist

Patient Reviews
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265 Reviews
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- Mar. 24, 2025
I've been going to Dr. Gladdis Thomas at Hill Country Vision for years and have recommended her and ... the office to multiple friends and neighbors. It's always a great experience and I get exactly what I need whether it's new glasses, sunglasses, and/or contacts. (The computer glasses were a total game changer!) Plus, I love that the staff helps me pick out the frames that look best on me. 🙂
- Mar. 19, 2025
Great experience here! All the staff was friendly, timely and the doctor was thorough. I left with ... a better understanding of my current vision and enjoyed my time spent there selecting my new frames!
- Mar. 03, 2025
Great service !
- Feb. 25, 2025
Great service, friendly staff, and a great selection of glasses.
- Feb. 24, 2025
Staff was nice and helpful. Dr. Thomas was very knowledgeable.
- Jan. 25, 2025
Great experience and outstanding customer service. Highly recommended!
- Jan. 24, 2025
Excellent service A+++++
- Jan. 23, 2025
Wonderful experience from when I walked in to when I walked out!
- Jan. 16, 2025
All the staff are professional and kind here. Great place to go for all your glasses.
- Jan. 03, 2025
The staff is friendly and make you feel very comfortable.
- Dec. 02, 2024
Dr Gladdis Thomas and staff at Hill Country Vision Center provide excellent quality visions care and... with a smile.
- Nov. 20, 2024
The Dr who did my eye exam was very good and caring. My prescription had changed quite a bit but my ... glasses were perfect the first time. I just Luv my second pair which were 50% off.
- Nov. 11, 2024
The staff there were knowledgeable and acted like they enjoyed working there! That makes a huge diff... erence and you can tell because it’s reflected in how they treat their customers. They did not make me feel rushed whatsoever and answered any/all questions I had. They provided actionable steps to improve eyesight and tips on protecting my eyes throughout the workday. I also was extremely impressed with the quick turnaround of getting my glasses. I would recommend them to any and everyone.
- Oct. 21, 2024
Very professional and friendly office.
- Oct. 13, 2024
Clean and neat office. They got me an appointment quickly and easily. Everyone there from front de... sk, technician, doctor, and ordering glasses/contacts was so friendly and helpful.
- Oct. 07, 2024
They sre the best
- Oct. 01, 2024
The staff and doctors at the Bulverde location actually care about their patients and are able to pr... ovide personal attention to their customers. You don’t have to wait over a week for an appointment like the chain eye doctor offices that in my opinion don’t have the personnel concern for your well being if it doesn’t fit into their schedule. Thanks for being there.
- Aug. 27, 2024
I decided to try this place based on the very high-rated google maps reviews.. and wow, were they ev... er accurate!! Every single employee I interacted with was SO smiley and kind. I’ve always been squeamish about the up-close eye exam (the dreaded old puff machine, and now it’s just the eye touch pencil looking tool) and the 2 young tech’s were so kind and patient with me. Dr. Thomas was so nice throughout the eye exam. Jamie was such a big help with helping me choose my eyeglasses and prescription sunglasses. Thank you so much to everyone who works here!!
- Aug. 21, 2024
Dr. Thomas is wonderful and the staff is so sweet. Hill country vision Center is terrific.
- Aug. 16, 2024
I’m very grateful for the kind services at reception and the doctor at Hill Country Vision. While ... traveling from California to Illinois, I scratched my cornea in a dust storm and the scratch became infected. Of course, the infection exploded at 10:30 at night, the day before we were to leave the area. I spent an hour researching and reading the reviews of all the doctors in San Antonio and the suburbs. I woke up early and arrived at the office five minutes before the opening. I explained my predicament and asked if I could be seen on an emergency basis. The front desk receptionist could not have been kinder and said she would do her best to fit me in or if someone canceled, I could take the appointment. I waited approximately an hour when there was an opening. The doctor was wonderful during the exam and in her explanation of my problem. She gave me a prescription to be filled immediately. Within 24 hours my eye made progress in healing. Within a few days, I was as good as new. As this was the eye that had previously had a retina detachment, I was scared. I’m very grateful for the expertise, kindness and compassion of everyone in the office.

View All 265 Reviews

Urgent Eye Care in Spring Branch

Our optometry practice in Spring Branch

Photograph of Gladdis  Thomas
Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 1:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • EyeMed
  • Blue Cross

Woman with red eyes holding her head

Have an eye emergency?

Protect your vision by contacting Hill Country Vision Center - Bulverde in Spring Branch without delay!

(830) 980-3306