Foreign objects or stabbing pains in your eye? Don’t wait!
Eye Emergencies in Pittsburgh
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 Bittel Vision Care Center - Caste Village for emergency eye care.
Our Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh as soon as possible.
Meet our Eye Doctors
Robert Bittel O.D.
Language:
English
- Accepting New Patients
- Family Friendly
- In Person Appointments
Robert P. Bittel, O.D. received his Doctor of Optometry from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. He earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Bittel has been involved in laser vision consultation since 1998,…
Matthew Bittel O.D.
Language:
English
- Accepting New Patients
- Family Friendly
- In Person Appointments
- Professional Certification
Matthew R. Bittel, O.D., M.P.H., received his Doctor of Optometry from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University. After three years at the University of Pittsburgh, University Honors College, he was granted early…
Katherine Mehalik O.D.
Language:
English
- Accepting New Patients
- Family Friendly
- In Person Appointments
- Professional Certification
Katherine Mehalik, O.D. received her Doctor of Optometry from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown as a Presidential Scholar. Dr.…
Jeffrey Duncan O.D.
Language:
English
- Accepting New Patients
- Family Friendly
- In Person Appointments
Jeffrey Duncan, O.D. received his Doctor of Optometry from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1991. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the University of Pittsburgh in 1987. Dr. Duncan provides primary eye care,…
Brittany Nault O.D.
Language:
English
- Accepting New Patients
- Family Friendly
- In Person Appointments
Brittany Nault, O.D. graduated from The Ohio State University College of Optometry in 2022 with honors. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Findlay where she also had a minor in Chemistry. Dr. Nault's…
Patient Reviews
4.6
332 Reviews
Mary F. - May 23, 2026
I highly recommend Bittel Vision care to anyone! They are kind, respectful, and thorough! What more ... Show Morecould you ask for!
Stephanie W. - May 19, 2026
We've been coming here for a few years for both ourselves and our kids. The staff and doctors have a... Show Morell been friendly, caring, and have gone out of their way to help us. My son lost his glasses, and the staff spent extra time helping us figure out the most cost efficient way to replace them. One of my kids also has anxiety, and the staff and doctors help him feel comfortable during exams. We've always gotten quick responses anytime we've needed help or had questions, and appointments have always been on time and run smoothly. We've had a good experience at this practice.
Urgent Eye Care in Pittsburgh
Hours Show More
- Monday 9:00 am - 7:30 pm
- Tuesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Thursday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
- Saturday Closed
- Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans Show More
- VSP
- Medicare
- United Healthcare
- Spectera
- EyeMed
- Medicaid
- Anthem
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross
- MetLife
- Aetna
Have an eye emergency?
Protect your vision by contacting Bittel Vision Care Center - Caste Village in Pittsburgh without delay!