First Aid for Eye Injuries
Hundreds of eye injuries happen everyday, and they can happen anywhere. “While most eye injuries are preventable, freak accidents can happen anywhere,“ said Richard Bensinger, M.D., a Seattle-area ophthalmologist. “Like any other injury, the faster you get the proper medical treatment, the better your chances of avoiding further injury. In many cases, prompt and correct treatment can mean the difference between sight and blindness.”
“The best way to treat eye injuries is to avoid them,” added Dr. Bensinger. “So if you are going to be in a place where you may be at risk for eye injury, take the proper steps, including wearing proper eye safety glasses or goggles that can protect your eyes.” Situations where you may be at risk for eye injury include while you are at work or during sports or recreational activities, yard work or hobbies.
For all eye injuries
- DO NOT touch, rub or apply pressure to the eye.
- DO NOT try to remove the object stuck in the eye.
- See a doctor as soon as possible, preferably an ophthalmologist – a physician who specializes in eye care and surgery.
If your eye has been cut or punctured
- Gently place shield or cup over eye
- DO NOT rinse with water
- DO NOT remove the object stuck in eye
- DO NOT rub or apply pressure to eye
- After you have finished shielding, see a physician immediately.
If you get a particle or foreign material in your eye
- DO NOT rub the eye.
- Lift the upper eyelid over the lashes or your lower lid.
- Blink several times and allow tears to flush out the particle.
- If the particle remains, keep your eye closed and seek medical attention.
If you do sustain an eye injury, see an Eye M.D. (ophthalmologist) or visit the nearest emergency room right away, even if the injury seems minor at first. A serious eye injury is not always mmediately obvious. Delaying medical attention can cause the damaged areas to worsen and could result in permanent vision loss or
blindness.
- Do not rub the eye. If any tissue is torn, rubbing may cause more damage.
- Shield the eye from pressure or rubbing action by taping or securing the bottom of a foam cup or similar type of shield against the bones surrounding the eye (brow, cheek and bridge of nose).
- Do not apply ointment or medication to the eye. These medications may not be sterile and could make the eye area slippery, which could slow the Eye M.D.’s examination.
- To treat cuts or punctures to the eye, bandage the eye without any pressure and seek emergency medical care immediately. Do not rub the eye. Do not attempt to wash the eye or remove any object stuck in the eye. A paper cup held over the injured eye can help protect it until you can get to your Eye M.D. or emergency room.
- In case of a chemical burn to the eye, immediately flush the eye with clean water, using your fingers to keep the eye open as wide as possible and seek emergency medical treatment right away. Hold your head under a faucet or shower, or pour water gently into the eye from a container for at least fifteen minutes. Roll the eyeball as much as possible to wash out the eye. Do not use an eye cup, or bandage the eyes.
- To treat a blow to the eye, gently apply a small cold compress to reduce pain and swelling, but don’t apply any pressure. Remember that even a light blow can cause a significant eye injury. If a black eye, pain or visual disturbance occurs even after a light blow can be a sign of damage inside the eye, immediately contact your Eye M.D. or emergency room.
- To treat sand or small debris in the eye, use eyewash to flush the eye out. Do not rub the eye. Lift the upper lid over the lower lid allowing the lower lashes to brush the speck off the inside of the upper lid. Blink a few times and let the eye move the particle out. If the debris doesn’t come out, keep the eye closed or lightly bandage the eye and see an Eye M.D. or visit the nearest emergency room.
- Avoid giving aspirin, ibuprofen or other non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs thin the blood and may increase bleeding. Also, the pain associated with an eye injury is often excruciating and a non-prescription medication may not help. Do not delay help by waiting for a painkiller to take hold. Go directly to an Eye M.D. or emergency room.