Urgent Eyecare & Eye Emergencies
Our Services
Fast assessment and treatment
when you need it most.
When you have an urgent eye concern, getting the right advice quickly can make all the difference. At Wanganui Eyecare, our optometrists provide prompt assessment, diagnosis and management for a wide range of eye conditions, injuries and infections.
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All of our optometrists are Authorised Prescriber Optometrists and ACC registered, allowing them to prescribe topical and oral medications where clinically appropriate. This means we can provide timely treatment for many eye conditions, often without the need for a separate GP appointment.
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If you have an eye concern that needs urgent attention, please contact our clinic directly. We will make every effort to arrange an urgent appointment for you.
Conditions we commonly assess and manage
Our optometrists can assess, diagnose and manage many eye conditions, including:
Eye infections, redness and inflammation
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Bacterial conjunctivitis
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Viral conjunctivitis
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Red eye conditions
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Iritis
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Episcleritis
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Herpes simplex eye disease
Dry eye and eyelid conditions
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Dry eye disease (including aqueous deficiency)
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Meibomian gland dysfunction
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Blepharitis (eyelid inflammation)
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Ocular allergies
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Styes
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Vernal keratoconjunctivitis
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Giant papillary conjunctivitis
Eye injuries and corneal conditions
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Foreign bodies in the eye, including workplace-related metal fragments
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Corneal abrasions
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Corneal ulcers
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Sterile keratitis
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Subconjunctival haemorrhages
When should you seek urgent eye care?
If you experience any of the following symptoms, it is important to be assessed as soon as possible. Please call our clinic directly and we will make every effort to arrange an urgent appointment.
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Some eye injuries need immediate hospital care. If a chemical has entered your eye, something has penetrated the eye, or you have a severe eye injury, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Sudden changes in vision
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Sudden blurred or reduced vision
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Missing patches or areas of vision
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A shadow or curtain coming across your vision
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Flashing lights
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A sudden increase in floaters or dark spots
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Sudden double vision
Eye pain or inflammation
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Moderate or severe pain in or around the eye
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Pain when moving your eye
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Increased sensitivity to bright lights
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Sudden swelling of the eye or surrounding tissues
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An unusual or persistent headache associated with eye symptoms
Eye injuries
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A foreign object becoming embedded in the eye, such as metal
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Chemical exposure or burns to the eye
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Eye injuries caused by trauma, accidents or workplace incidents
Eye injuries and ACC
If you have injured your eye at work, home or during sport, our optometrists can assess and treat many eye injuries. Where applicable, we can also lodge an ACC claim as part of your care.
Need urgent eye care? Book your urgent eye appointment.
Don’t wait if you are experiencing sudden vision changes, eye pain, flashes, floaters, or an eye injury.
Have questions? We're here to help
Explore answers to common questions about eye symptoms, conditions and available care.
Yes. Our Authorised Prescriber Optometrists can assess many eye infections and prescribe medication where appropriate, including treatment for conditions such as conjunctivitis and ocular inflammation.
Yes. Our optometrists can assess and remove many foreign bodies from the eye, including some workplace-related injuries such as metal fragments.
Yes. For many eye-related concerns, seeing an optometrist can be the most appropriate first step. Our Authorised Prescriber Optometrists are trained to assess, diagnose and manage many eye conditions, including infections, inflammation, injuries and changes in vision.
If your condition requires further medical investigation or specialist care, we can arrange an appropriate referral to your GP or an ophthalmologist.
A retinal detachment is a serious eye emergency that needs urgent assessment and treatment. Warning signs can include sudden flashes of light, a sudden increase in floaters, a shadow in your vision or a curtain-like area moving across your sight.
Our optometrists can assess these symptoms urgently. If we suspect a retinal tear or detachment, we can arrange an urgent referral to an ophthalmologist for specialist treatment.
Flashes of light and new or increasing floaters can sometimes be a sign of changes inside the eye that require urgent assessment.
If you notice a sudden increase in floaters, flashes of light, a shadow or curtain-like area in your vision, or any sudden change in your sight, please contact Wanganui Eyecare as soon as possible for an urgent eye assessment.
Our optometrists can examine your eyes to assess the cause of your symptoms and arrange referral to an ophthalmologist if further specialist care is required.
Urgent eye symptoms should not be ignored, especially if you experience sudden changes in vision, eye pain, flashes of light, a sudden increase in floaters, or an eye injury.
Contact Wanganui Eyecare as soon as possible so our team can assess your symptoms and advise on the most appropriate care.