The human eye includes many mechanisms to protect itself from harm. Eyelashes help keep dust and debris out of your eyes and act as human whiskers, detecting objects that are near to your eye and triggering a reflexive blink. Eyebrows channel moisture, such as sweat and rain, to flow around your eyes instead of into them. And your eyelids, which have the ability to close in a fraction of a second, cover your eyes to block objects from entering them. They also work with your tears to flush foreign objects off of your cornea. Unfortunately, accidents happen, and all of these protective measures combined can’t always prevent an injury.
While the first-aid tips below represent some immediate steps you can take after an eye injury, it is very important to always seek medical attention from an eye doctor as soon as possible. The seriousness of an eye injury is easy to underestimate, especially if it affects a part of the eye that doesn’t have pain receptors. By putting off medical attention you risk exacerbating the injury, which could lead to permanent vision loss. Only an eye care professional can thoroughly examine your injured eye and recommend the appropriate treatment.
ALL EYE INJURIES- NEVER rub, touch or apply pressure to your eye.
- NEVER try to remove an object that is stuck in your eye.
- DO NOT apply medication or ointment to your eye, unless it has specifically been prescribed by a physician for the treatment of the injury.
- ALWAYS see a medical professional immediately, preferably an ophthalmologist.
- REMEMBER, not all hospitals offer emergency eye trauma care. If your eye injury is severe and you need to go to the emergency room, if possible, call your eye doctor and ask which hospital they recommend.
- NEVER try to remove an object if it is stuck in your eye.
- PROTECT the eye from further damage. The bottom of a paper cup taped to the area surrounding the eye can be a good make-shift shield until you get to a doctor.
- NEVER rinse with water. This could introduce more pathogens into the wound and cause infection.
- NEVER rub or apply pressure to the eye.
- AVOID drugs that thin the blood, such as aspirin, ibuprofen or other non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs, as they may increase bleeding.
- IMMEDIATELY seek emergency medical treatment.
- DO NOT rub the eye, as this may cause abrasions to your cornea.
- GENTLY lift the upper eyelid and pull it down over the lashes of your lower lid. The lashes will act like a brush to help remove particles stuck underneath your eyelid.
- SLOWLY BLINK several times and allow tears to flush out the particles.
- KEEP YOUR EYES CLOSED, if you are unable to remove the particles, and seek medical attention as soon as possible.
- IMMEDIATELY FLUSH the eye with sterile water or eyewash solution.
- Seek emergency medical treatment right away.
- DO NOT rub or apply pressure to the eye.
- GENTLY APPLY a small cold compress to reduce pain and swelling.
- Even a light impact can cause severe injury to the eye. If swelling, discoloration (black eye), pain or visual disturbance occurs, immediately seek medical attention.
- FLUSH the eye with sterile water or eyewash solution.
- DO NOT rub the eye.
- If you are unable to remove the debris by flushing your eye, LIGHTLY BANDAGE the eye and see a doctor as soon as possible.
The eye is a delicate structure that is easily damaged by a small foreign body. If a foreign body scratches or scars the eye surface, the patient may lose some or all vision in the injured eye. Eye protection should always be worn when particles or fluid could enter the eye.
A heavy blow may injure soft issues and bone around the eye. This can result in pressure on the eyeball and cause blurred or double vision, or even blindness.
In a workplace where welding is undertaken a painful flash injury may occur unless personal protective equipment is used correctly.
A chemical splash in the eye can cause permanent loss of vision and needs prompt first aid and medical care.
Symptoms and signs – Not all may be present
- pain in, or behind, the eye
- spasm of the eyelids
- a continuous flow of tears from one eye
- reduced or altered vision, or even loss of sight
- blood visible in the eye, or bleeding around the eye
Major eye conditions
How you can help
1. Rest and reassure the patient
- Tell the patient not to roll their eye.
- Help the patient to rest in the position of greatest comfort with the injured eye closed.
- If the eye injury is caused by a chemical splash, flush the eye with copious amounts of water.
- Advise the patient to avoid all movement of the head to prevent further eye damage.
- Reassure the patient.
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2. Protect the injured eye
- Cover the injured eye with a clean eye pad or wound dressing. If there is a large foreign body lodged in the eye, DO NOT attempt to remove it, but pad around the eye socket to avoid pressure.
- Advise the patient to keep the uninjured eye closed if possible to reduce the risk of movement of the injured eye.
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3. Arrange for medical care
Call 111 for an ambulance.
- Continue to give reassurance and encouragement to the patient.
- While waiting for the ambulance to arrive, check the patient for any other injuries, particularly if a blow or fall was involved.
- Check the level of consciousness and ensure that the airway is clear.
- Remember that an injury around the eye may be associated with a head injury.
Minor eye conditions
How you can help
1. Removal of a foreign body
- Tell the patient not to rub the eye.
- Check whether the foreign material is visible on the white part of the eye.
- Ask the patient to blink several times to try to remove the foreign body by washing it out with tears.
If the object is not removed after several attempts, DO NOT continue because of the risk of scratching the eye surface and causing scarring.
If the foreign object cannot be seen clearly or is over the coloured part of the eye, DO NOT try to remove it.
2. If unsuccessful, the foreign body may be removed by gentle flushing of the affected eye
- Use a clean jug filled with water and pour a stream of fluid across the injured eye and into a bowl or handbasin. Pour the fluid from the mnose end of the eye toward the outer corner to avoid accidentally flushing the uninjured eye. Tilt head to injured side to aid flushing.
- If unsuccessful, cover the eye with a clean pad and see a doctor.
Snow blindness / welder’s flash
Excessive glare (or bright light from a welder) can damage eyes. The patient may complain of severe pain in the eye(s), with a ‘gritty’ feeling. The eye may be sensitive to light and may be watery and/or red.
How you can help
1. Bathe the eye with cool water
2. Cover the affected eye(s) and see a doctor
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