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Harry Toulch Optométristes
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Rapid-response care for eye emergencies in Montreal

We do our best to see eye emergencies as quickly as possible. During business hours, please call us directly. After hours, send us an email and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

(514) 849-1433Request an appointment online
An optometrist examines a patient's eye at the slit lamp. Two retinal images are on the monitor, a close-up of the iris on the laptop.

Common eye emergencies include:

  • Irritated or watery eye

    Tearing, itching or a scratchy feeling can come from allergy, dryness, blocked tear ducts or environmental irritants. We identify the cause so you get the right treatment from the start.

  • Red eye

    Red eye has many possible causes, some minor and some urgent, including episcleritis, scleritis, uveitis (iritis), keratitis, corneal ulcer, subconjunctival hemorrhage and acute angle-closure glaucoma, among others. They can look similar but need very different care, so an accurate diagnosis is critical. Optometrists in Quebec are authorized to examine and diagnose red eyes and treat many of them. If advanced care is needed, we manage the referral to the right specialist.

  • Foreign body (dust, sawdust, metal)

    We remove the particle safely under magnification and check the eye's surface for damage or risk of infection.

  • Conjunctivitis, stye or chalazion

    These conditions can look alike. An accurate diagnosis ensures appropriate treatment and tells you whether the condition is contagious.

  • Corneal abrasion (fingernail, branch, impact)

    We assess how deep the abrasion is, relieve discomfort, and monitor healing to prevent infection.

  • Stuck contact lens

    Repeated attempts at home can scratch the cornea. We remove the lens safely and treat any irritation.

  • Persistent dryness or burning

    Ongoing dryness, burning or a gritty feeling deserves a proper dry eye assessment. We evaluate the underlying cause and recommend a treatment plan for lasting relief.

  • Flashes or floaters

    A sudden onset of flashes, new floaters or a shadow in your vision can signal a retinal tear or detachment. We perform a dilated exam to assess the retina and refer you urgently if needed.

  • Broken or lost glasses

    With our workshop on site, we repair your frame the same day or cut new lenses in under an hour. No need to put your day on hold.

  • Urgent prescription replacement

    A quick exam and lenses cut on site. Ideal if you're about to travel or can't work without your glasses.

The clinic's instrument room: autorefractors, a tomographer and a retinal camera lined up on one counter.
An Optos widefield retinal camera, which photographs most of the retina in a single capture.

Conditions requiring immediate emergency care include, but are not limited to:

  • Sudden or significant vision loss
  • Sudden flashes or floaters with a curtain or shadow over your vision
  • Severe eye pain
  • Eye trauma or chemical exposure
  • Sudden double vision
  • New eyelid drooping
  • Any neurological symptom (including headache, neck pain, confusion or facial numbness), whether or not accompanied by visual changes

This list is not exhaustive. When in doubt, go to the emergency department.

Your care in 3 simple steps

An optometrist at an OCT tomographer. A cross-section of the retina is on the wall screen.

  1. 01

    A quick call: we assess the urgency

    Tell us what you're feeling. In two minutes on the phone, we work out the fastest option: a same-day appointment at the clinic, care at a later time, or an immediate referral to the hospital if your situation calls for it.

  2. 02

    The exam: diagnosis and relief

    The optometrist examines your eye thoroughly to pinpoint the exact cause. Depending on the diagnosis, they give first care on site, prescribe the right treatment, or refer you to an ophthalmologist if specialist follow-up is needed.

  3. 03

    The action plan: leave with peace of mind

    You leave the clinic with clear answers, a precise treatment and instructions for what comes next. If a follow-up visit is needed, it's booked before you go.

Common questions

Eye emergency: hospital or optometrist?

It depends on the immediate threat to your sight:

Hospital emergency (go straight to the hospital): Sudden loss of vision, a perforating injury or a violent blow, a chemical burn, severe pain with nausea, or flashes of light and a dark curtain appearing.

Optometry clinic (see us the same day): Red eye, a gritty feeling or something in the eye, a stuck contact lens, a scratched cornea or broken glasses. You get a quick diagnosis without spending hours in a hospital waiting room.

Not sure? Call 811 (Info-Santé) or call us directly.

Can an optometrist treat an eye infection in Quebec?

Yes, absolutely. In Quebec, optometrists are authorized to diagnose conditions of the eye's surface and prescribe the right medication (antibiotic drops, anti-inflammatories, etc.) to treat conjunctivitis, certain types of uveitis, styes and severe irritation quickly. If your condition needs surgical follow-up or more advanced care, we refer you directly to the right specialist.

I have something in my eye. What should I do before coming in?

Do the right things so you don't make the injury worse:

Do: Rinse generously with water or saline and blink gently to help it come out on its own.

Never: Don't rub your eye, and don't use any tool (tweezers, the tip of a cotton swab or a tissue). That's how a speck of dust turns into a scratched cornea.

⚠️ Warning: If the object hit your eye at high speed (grinder work, a metal or wood chip), don't rinse and go straight to the hospital: it may be a penetrating injury.

My glasses broke this morning. Can you fix them today?

In the vast majority of cases, yes! Bring us your frame and every broken piece: a screw, a hinge or an arm can often be fixed right at the counter. If the frame can't be saved, our on-site workshop lets us cut and fit new lenses into a new frame in under an hour from your current prescription.

Call us before you come in to hold your time slot.

Is an urgent optometry visit covered?

In Quebec, the RAMQ covers the diagnostic assessment of an urgent eye visit for all insured patients, but not the treatment, so coverage is partial.

Depending on your situation, there may be additional fees for treatment and/or imaging. We are always transparent and will explain these fees before any care is provided, so there are no surprises.

Please remember to bring your health insurance card (RAMQ) and your private insurance card, if you have one, since some of these fees may be eligible for reimbursement.