If you’re looking for a pink eye doctor in Chandler, AZ, chances are you have a red, irritated eye right now and one pressing question: do I need to be seen?
The short answer: Many cases of pink eye clear up on their own. However, if you have pain, blurry vision, light sensitivity, or you wear contact lenses, you should be seen. We offer same-day appointments for urgent eye concerns. Call 480-802-7170.
When pink eye needs a doctor
As an eye doctor, I’ll be candid: not every case of pink eye requires a visit. Mild bacterial pink eye often resolves in 5 to 7 days, and viral pink eye typically runs its course in 1 to 2 weeks.
However, I recommend scheduling a visit if you experience:
- Eye pain, rather than mild irritation
- Blurry vision that does not clear when you blink
- Sensitivity to light
- Thick or heavy discharge (prescription drops can shorten recovery to a day or two)
- No improvement after about a week
Pain, blurred vision, and light sensitivity can indicate that the infection has reached your cornea. Because this can threaten your sight, these symptoms should not be waited out.
What happens at a pink eye visit
The visit is quick and straightforward. Here is what to expect in my office:
- A thorough examination. Using specialized equipment, I can determine whether your pink eye is bacterial, viral, or allergic, and confirm that your cornea is healthy.
- The right treatment. Antibiotic drops for bacterial cases. Antihistamine drops for allergic cases.
- A clear plan. You will leave knowing how long it should last, how to avoid spreading it, and which signs mean you should return.
Why the type matters
This is the step many people skip, and it often costs them days of recovery.
Antibiotic drops do nothing for viral pink eye, and allergy drops do nothing for an infection. As for that half-used bottle of drops in your medicine cabinet from last time, it may be contaminated. Please discard it.
Here in the East Valley, dust and seasonal pollen make allergic pink eye especially common, which is one more reason not to assume every red eye is an infection.
Guessing incorrectly can mean a week of red eyes with no benefit. Identifying the correct type is the primary purpose of the visit.
A note for contact lens wearers
If you wear contact lenses and your eye becomes red, remove your lenses and leave them out. Then call our office. For contact lens wearers, I assume the lenses are involved until I can rule that out.
Getting seen in Chandler
Our office is located at 4960 S. Gilbert Rd, Ste 11, Chandler, AZ 85249, in the Chandler Heights Marketplace, next to ToScany’s, with ample parking. We see patients from Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek, and San Tan Valley.
Office hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM (closed 1:30 to 2:00 PM). Saturday, 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM. We are closed Wednesday and Sunday.
If it is after hours or you have a serious eye injury, please go to the nearest emergency room. For everything else, including pink eye, we are here to help. You can learn more on our emergency eye care page.
Pink eye FAQs for Chandler patients
Should I go to urgent care or an eye doctor for pink eye?
Urgent care can be a reasonable option, but an optometrist has equipment designed specifically to examine the eye, including the cornea. That allows me to identify the type of pink eye and prescribe the right treatment from the start. If you have pain, blurred vision, or light sensitivity, or you wear contact lenses, an eye doctor is the better choice.
Does insurance cover a pink eye visit?
Because pink eye is a medical condition, the visit is usually billed to your medical insurance rather than your vision plan. However, some VSP plans include Essential Medical Eye Care, a benefit that covers the evaluation and treatment of eye conditions such as pink eye. If you have VSP, our team can check whether your plan includes this coverage. Benefits vary by plan, so please call our office or visit our insurance and payment page.
Can I get seen today in Chandler?
In most cases, yes. We offer same-day walk-in appointments for urgent eye concerns. Call 480-802-7170 as early in the day as possible, and we will do our best to fit you in.
Experiencing a red eye now? Call 480-802-7170 or book online.
Dealing with a red, irritated eye? Read our guide on when to see a pink eye doctor in Chandler.
I hope you feel better soon.
Dr. Simms
