Emergency / After-Hours Care

Emergency / After-Hours Care

Most ocular emergencies are more promptly and effectively triaged and treated in our office, then coordinated with ophthalmology, if necessary.

We offer emergency care during normal office hours and after-hours emergency triage and care between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.  After hours, call our regular office number:  720-870-2828 and choose option 2 to put you through to the doctor on call.  If you are unsure if your symptoms constitute a medical emergency, call us anyway – delaying treatment could put you at risk for serious complications. 

If an office visit is needed, they are always charged to your medical insurance (NOT your vision plan), so be sure to tell the staff or the doctor who your medical coverage is through. 

The most common eye/vision symptoms that warrant calling are:

• SEVERE pain in an eye
• Sudden loss of vision (usually in only one eye) with or without pain
• Suspected foreign body in the eye
• Chemical exposure to the eye: Take these immediate steps for chemical exposure.
• Corneal Ulcer – very red eye usually with pain – especially contact lens wearers
• Eye trauma with pain and/or loss of vision
• Blunt trauma without pain or loss of vision
• Excessive swelling, pain or severe redness associated with post op eye surgery
• Sudden onset of double vision
• Wavy lines in central vision
• A curtain or veil over vision
• Missing area(s) of vision
• Flashes of light and/or sudden increase in floaters
• Acute red eye – suspected infection with or without pain
• Possible Herpes or Shingles infection – can occur up to one month after the skin infection.
• Acute swelling of eyelids without pain or discharge, possible stye
• Severe Photophobia (light sensitivity)

The doctor will determine how urgently you should be seen.