Foreign objects or stabbing pains in your eye? Don’t wait!
Eye Emergencies in Knoxville
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 The Eye Group - Chapman Highway for emergency eye care.
Our Knoxville optometrists can help you preserve your vision and eye health.
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
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
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
Symptoms of an eye infection typically include itching, burning, redness, crusty and watery eyes. See a Knoxville eye doctor if your symptoms last over 4 days or if you experience intense pain, redness, blurred vision or light sensitivity.
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, you may scratch your cornea while attempting to get an object out which can cause further sight-threatening complications.
So the best thing you can do in this kind of eye emergency is to get to your eye doctor in Knoxville as soon as possible.
Meet our Eye Doctors
Daniela Avalos O.D.
Daniela Avalos, O.D., received her Doctor of Optometry from Midwestern University Chicago College of Optometry in 2025. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology, with a minor in Business Administration, from The University of…
Hai Zhong O.D.
Hai (Helen) Zhong, O.D., received her Doctor of Optometry from Southern College of Optometry in 2026 and earned her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2022. During her training, Dr. Zhong…
Dorian Lain O.D.
Language:
English
- Accepting New Patients
- Family Friendly
- In Person Appointments
Dorian Lain, O.D. received his Doctor of Optometry from the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. He earned his undergraduate degree at Manatee Community College. Dr. Lain and Dr. Manning founded the Farragut office…
Harrison Amburn O.D.
Language:
English
- Accepting New Patients
- Family Friendly
- In Person Appointments
Dr. Harrison Amburn is a native of Farragut. He graduated from Farragut High School in 2010. From there, he attended the University of Tennessee where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology in 2014. Dr. Amburn continued…
Robert Kevin Cross O.D.
Language:
English
- Accepting New Patients
- Family Friendly
- In Person Appointments
Dr. Kevin Cross was born and raised in Byrdstown, Tennessee. He attended Tennessee Tech University, is a 1986 graduate of Southern College of Optometry, and is board-certified in therapeutic optometry. Dr. Cross was in practice with the…
Patient Reviews
4.8
497 Reviews
Kristina H. - Jun 12, 2026
Loved this whole experience. The staff are professional, personable and fun. It made this a great ap... Show Morepointment for me and my husband!
Rozalyn L. - Jun 9, 2026
i bring my teens to Dr. Ávalos here and she’s fantastic. she’s kind, patient, and knowledgeable. als... Show Moreo we really love the secretary here. she’s funny, good at her job, and has a nice welcoming energy.
Urgent Eye Care in Knoxville
Hours Show More
- Monday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
- Tuesday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
- Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
- Thursday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
- Friday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
- Saturday Closed
- Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans Show More
- VSP
- United Healthcare
- Aetna
- Cigna
- Spectera
- Davis Vision
- EyeMed
- Superior Vision
- Tricare
- Anthem
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Avesis
- Blue Cross
- AARP
- AlwaysCare
- Amerigroup
- TriWest
- EyeQuest
- Blue Care
- TennCare
Have an eye emergency?
Protect your vision by contacting The Eye Group - Chapman Highway in Knoxville without delay!