When an eye injury does occur, if it is an emergency, call 911 immediately.

Your eyes are extremely vulnerable after an eye related accident and a serious injuries are not always noticed or noticeable.  Delaying medical attention can cause the damaged area to get worse and could result in permanent vision loss or blindness.

If the injury isn’t an emergency, have your optometrist give you an eye exam to evaluate your eye for possible unseen injuries.  If you have been sustained and eye injury, you may be referred to an ophthalmologist or other medical doctor who will further examine your eyes and provide treatments.

Remember, eye injuries can seem small at first but get worse.

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.
• Do not apply ointment or medication to the eye.
• See a doctor as soon as possible, preferably an ophthalmologist.

If your eye has been cut or punctured:

• Gently place a shield over the eye. The bottom of a paper cup taped to the bones surrounding the eye can serve as a shield until you get medical attention.
• DO NOT rinse with water.
• DO NOT remove the object stuck in eye.
• DO NOT rub or apply pressure to eye.
• Avoid giving aspirin, ibuprofen or other non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs thin the blood and may increase bleeding.
• After you have finished protecting the eye, 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 of 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.

In case of a chemical burn to the eye:

• Immediately flush the eye with plenty of clean water
• Seek emergency medical treatment right away.

To treat a blow to the eye:

• Gently apply a small cold compress to reduce pain and swelling.
• DO NOT apply any pressure.
• If a black eye, pain or visual disturbance occurs even after a light blow, immediately contact your Eye M.D. or emergency room.
• Remember that even a light blow can cause a significant eye injury.

To treat sand or small debris in the eye:

• Use eyewash to flush the eye out.
• DO NOT rub the eye.
• If the debris doesn’t come out, lightly bandage the eye and see an Eye M.D. or visit the nearest emergency room.

Article: When An Eye Injury Occurs
Eye Care America
The Foundation of the
American Academy of Ophthalmology
www.aao.org