Q. What should I do if I ever have an eye emergency, such as sudden pain or light flashes? Is it best to go to a hospital emergency department, or is it better to go to an ophthalmologist's office for care? A. If you have an established eye doctor, it's best to call that person first for advice, even if it's outside regular office hours. For many eye conditions, it's easy to make an initial assessment over the phone (or during a video call), and the doctor can tell you if you need to come in or