First Aid and Treatment
All but the most trivial eye trauma needs immediate first aid, if applicable, and emergency medical treatment. Following emergency medical treatment, follow-up appointments with your doctor are important for monitoring your healing process. Below are listed some common types of eye trauma:
Blunt Trauma: Baseballs, Fist Fighting, Rocks, Snowballs
Contact your doctor or proceed to the emergency department of a hospital. You should not apply ice or other types of treatment without speaking to your doctor first. Blunt trauma may cause a variety of inner eye injuries and requires prompt evaluation from a professional.
Burns: Flames, Explosions, Curling Irons, Hot Objects, Cigarettes
You should not attempt to remove particles or debris from your eye. Contact your doctor immediately or proceed to the emergency department of a hospital for professional treatment.
Chemical Injuries: Household or Industrial Chemicals
Chemical injuries vary from minor to blinding, depending on the chemical that contacted the eye. You should immediately flush the eye with water—use a sink, shower, or drinking fountain—whatever source of water is nearby. Flush the eye with water for 15 minutes. You should contact your doctor immediately or proceed to the emergency department of a hospital.
Radiant Energy Injuries: Strong Bright Light, Sunlamps, Welding, Electric Flash, Lasers, Eclipses
Artificial tears may help relieve burning, but you should contact your doctor immediately or proceed to the emergency department of a hospital.
Sharp Injuries: Penetration Injuries from Knives, Pointed Objects, Finger Nails, Animal Bites
You should not attempt to remove an object from the eye by yourself. This may result in further injury. Contact your doctor immediately or proceed to the emergency room of a hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Small Object in the Eye: Debris; Metal, Wood, Plastic, or Glass Fragments
You should not try to remove objects from the eye by yourself. This may result in further injury. Contact your doctor or go to the emergency department of a hospital to have the object professionally removed.
|