The eye is a fragile structure and can be injured easily. Blunt force, like an opponent's elbow during an athletic game, can bruise the eye, or strong chemicals can cause serious burns. Sharp objects may scratch or cut the surface of the eye or get lodged in the tissue.
Immediately after Eye Trauma
If your eye is injured, there are a few simple steps you can take to help prevent further injury before you make it to the eye care facility, according to the Mayo Clinic. Avoid rubbing or touching the eye or your eyelid. Do not apply any medication or ointment to the eye before seeing a doctor.
If your eye has been exposed to harsh chemicals, the Mayo Clinic recommends gently flushing the eye continuously for at least 20 minutes.
If a foreign object (like a pencil or piece of glass) is stuck on the surface or embedded in your eye, you should leave it there until you can get to professional medical care, advises the Mayo Clinic. In this situation, avoid moving your eyes at all. Because your eyes move together, it is easiest not to move the injured eye if you cover the good eye with a patch.
After any eye trauma, protect your eye with gauze or some type of shield until you can get to the eye care facility or your local emergency department. After an injury, ice can help reduce swelling and pressure, starting the healing process earlier and reducing the severity of a black eye or other bruising — just be sure there are no foreign objects or particles in the eye that the ice could affect.
How to Know If You Should See a Doctor
While some eye injuries are painful, highly visible, and obviously indicate that medical care is needed, others may not be so clear. The Mayo Clinic recommends seeing a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Pain
- Difficulty seeing
- Cuts or tears in the eyelid
- Any difference between the two eyes, including pupil size or shape, difficulty moving, or one protruding more than the other
- Blood in the eye, often visible in the white
- Any object stuck in the eye
Seek emergency medical care as soon as possible; getting treatment faster can help prevent permanent vision loss in some situations.
Long-Term Care
If your injury is serious enough to take you to the doctor, then you should receive clear instructions from the professionals on how to care for your eye in the long term. Your doctor may advise you to ice it periodically; otherwise, there is usually not much you can do at home for an eye injury other than protecting it from further harm. The best treatment is always to prevent an injury ahead of time by wearing protective eye equipment.
For questions or comments, contact Woodhams Eye Clinic.
Image source: Flickr
