ERs and urgent cares handle a wide range of medical situations, but they are not set up to diagnose eye conditions with precision. They do not have the slit lamp microscopes and specialized equipment that optometrists use to examine the eye in detail. As a result, many patients who visit urgent care with a red or painful eye are given a standard antibiotic and sent home, whether or not a bacterial infection is actually the cause.

​​​​​​​Red eyes can result from allergic reactions, viral infections, or inflammatory conditions, none of which respond to antibiotics. A proper diagnosis requires the right equipment and the right training. Coming directly to Vision Source Mandan allows us to identify what is actually going on and prescribe the appropriate treatment from the start.

Many patients do not realize their eye doctor can handle urgent situations the same day they call. The CDC notes that drainage, redness, double vision, floaters, and flashes of light are among the symptoms that should prompt patients to seek care from an eye professional promptly. If you are experiencing any of the following, contact us right away rather than waiting for the situation to worsen.

Common eye emergencies we see include:

• Foreign objects in the eye: Metal shavings, wood chips, and debris can become embedded in the cornea and cause significant damage if not removed promptly and properly.

• Eye infections: Bacterial, viral, and allergic causes of red or painful eyes each require different treatment, and we have the tools to distinguish between them.

• Sudden changes in vision: Blurry vision, double vision, or a curtain-like shadow across your field of view warrants same-day evaluation, as these can be signs of a retinal issue.

• Flashes and floaters: A sudden onset of flashes of light or a significant increase in floaters may indicate a retinal tear or detachment and needs to be assessed immediately.

• Eye pain and swelling: Persistent or worsening pain in or around the eye should never be ignored, as it can signal infection, elevated eye pressure, or injury.

Each of these situations is best addressed with the proper diagnostic equipment and a doctor who understands the eye in depth.ision. the historical context to spot changes early.

One of the things that sets Vision Source Mandan apart is genuine accessibility. Our after-hours phone system is set up so patients with urgent concerns can reach a doctor directly. Dr. Schauer has come in on evenings, weekends, and even holidays to see patients who needed care, because leaving an eye injury untreated overnight can turn a manageable problem into a much more serious one.

​​​​​​​A foreign object left in the eye for even a day can begin to rust and cause deeper corneal damage, turning what would have been a straightforward removal into a more complicated situation. For sudden blurry vision or other urgent concerns, reaching out to us directly is always a better starting point than spending hours in a waiting room only to be redirected to our office afterward.

There are situations that do require an immediate trip to the emergency room rather than calling our office. These include severe trauma involving other parts of the body, deep lacerations to the eye or surrounding area that may require surgery, or chemical burns that need immediate irrigation. In those cases, we strongly encourage patients to seek emergency medical care without delay.

​​​​​​​For the broad range of eye infections and injuries that fall outside that category, including red eyes, infections, foreign objects, and sudden vision changes, our office is the right place to start. We can also evaluate patients experiencing vision-related symptoms that may or may not be urgent and help determine the appropriate course of action.