Common Types of Eye Emergencies and How to Respond

Are you wondering if you should seek emergency care after accidentally scratching your eye or getting something in it? A quick search on the internet can suggest ways to respond to such accidents, but it can also leave you confused. Should you cleanse your eyes with clean water or seek medical treatment? To avoid risk, always call your eye doctor first.

Here are common types of eye emergencies and what to do during an eye emergency before you see your doctor. Remember to clean your hands with soap and water before taking any of the steps recommended in this article.

 

What Is an Eye Emergency?

An emergency is any injury to your eyelid, eye, or the area surrounding your eye. Eye emergencies include scratches, cuts, burns, substances in the eye, chemical splashes, and blunt trauma to your eye or eyelid.

 

Safety measures such as wearing protective eyewear can be your best protection against eye injuries and the best way to keep your eyes healthy. Here are common types of eye emergencies and how to respond:

 

Foreign Substances in the Eye

Eyelashes, dust, sand, and other rubbles can easily enter your eye. However, your eye will usually flush them out through blinks and tears.

 

How to Respond

If your eye does not flush out the object, do not try to squeeze it out or rub your eyes. Instead, try to rinse your eyes gently with fresh water. Constant pain, soreness, and light sensitivity are signs that you should seek medical treatment right away.

Eye Scratch, Cut, or Blunt Trauma

You can get eye scratches or cuts if you rub your eyes when a foreign object is inside. Similarly, your eyes can experience blunt trauma when they get poked or hit by a ball, fist, or airbag. These can result in swelling and bleeding.

How to Respond

Apply a cold compress to your eye to ease inflammation and bleeding. Do this gently to avoid applying pressure on your eye. If blood is collecting inside your eye, cover the eye with a clean dressing and see your eye doctor immediately.

Chemical Burn

Chemicals can easily enter your eye when working in a factory, cleaning, gardening, or using hair and cosmetic products. While chemical burns can clear up on their own, they may also cause permanent damage to your eye.

How to Respond

Rinse out the eye with lots of cool, clean water for about 15 minutes. Take a shower if you have the chemical on other parts of your body. Then, seek urgent medical attention to rule out serious complications.

Object Caught in the Eye or Penetrating Injury

Objects such as nails, sticks, ice picks, and knives can penetrate your eye. A penetrating trauma needs immediate medical care and an urgent appointment with an eye specialist.

How to Respond

Do not touch or try to take away the object. Applying such pressure to your eye can make the injury worse. Cover your eyes loosely with a dressing to prevent eye movements. Call your doctor right away.

For more common types of eye emergencies and how to respond, contact Cobb Corner Eye Care at our office in Stoughton, Massachusetts. You can call us at (781) 344-3335 to book an appointment today.