Imagine you are at a professional baseball game. You are seated in the front row and you watch as the pitcher throws the first pitch. The batter hits the ball and this object reaches phenomenal speeds of over 45 miles per second. The ball reaches the audience and you duck to prevent any head or eye injuries. According to the Merck Manual, many eye injuries do not directly affect the eyeball because of the anatomical features of the eyelid and face. The eye is sunken into a bony portion of your face called the orbit and your eye can close to prevent any foreign contact. Unfortunately, direct eye injuries do occur. If you are involved in a chemical explosion, the chemicals can get in your eye. Looking directly at the sun can damage your cornea (thin layer covering the colored portion of your eye). There are specific steps to treat eye injuries.
Routine Irrigation
Step 1
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water and dry them them well.
Step 2
Use your dominant hand's forefinger to pull down your lower eyelid. Keep your eyes as wide open as possible.
Step 3
Run your eye under large amounts of warm water for 5 to 10 minutes if the irritant is a foreign substance like sand or dirt. Do not touch the eye in any manner because this can further irritate the eye.
Step 4
Go to your doctor if flushing with water does not remove the foreign object. Your doctor will examine your eye and flush the foreign object safely.
Eye Penetration
Step 1
Call 911 if pieces of glass, metal, or other foreign materials are puncturing the eye. Do not wash the eye with water and do not remove the object that is embedded in the eye.
Step 2
Place a small cup over the affected eye and tape the cup in place. Be careful not add any pressure to the eye.
Step 3
Stay calm and do not panic. Help will arrive shortly.
Chemical Injury
Step 1
Scrub your hands thoroughly with soap and water and dry them well.
Step 2
Use your dominant hand's forefinger to pull down your lower eyelid. Keep your eyes as wide open as possible and flush your eye with large amounts of water for 15 to 30 minutes. Use the shower if both eyes are affected.
Step 3
Call 911 for immediate medical help.
Black Eye
Step 1
Place crushed ice into a plastic bag and tape it over your eye. This should reduce any swelling.
Step 2
Hold a cold compress on the injured eye. Another method involves holding the cold compress on the eye for 5 to 10 minutes at a time. Do this until the swelling subsides.
Step 3
Call your doctor if the pain continues, you have problems seeing and you notice any bleeding or drainage from your eye.
Tips and Warnings
- If you have contact lenses, do not attempt to remove them. This can further damage the eye. Keep a first aid kit containing a small cup and tape in your house and car.
- Every eye injury is potentially dangerous, so never assume your eye injury is minor.
Things You'll Need
- Small cup
- Tape
- Plastic bag
- Crushed ice
