Identifying and Treating the Most Common Eye Injuries

Eye injuries come in many shapes and sizes, with varying degrees of severity. Some may require emergency action and immediate care by an optometrist, while others can be taken care of at home. Read this guide to routine eye injuries, to decide your next move following an eye emergency. Keep in mind that general preventive precautions including wearing protective goggles may be your best bet for preventing eye injuries altogether.

An example of an injury that should not be taken lightly is a corneal abrasion (scratched eye). It can cause serious damage very quickly and possibly end in blindness. Scratches are often caused by a poke in the eye, or rubbing the eye when there is sand in it. Because a scratch can open your eye to fungal infection it's very important that you call your optometrist or an urgent care clinic. The best care for a corneal abrasion is to cover it loosely and to see your eye doctor right away to check it out. Rubbing the eye will only make it worse and completely covering the eye can give bacteria a place to grow.

Another typical eye issue is chemical burn. It is often frightening to be sprayed in the eye by an unknown liquid. It's critical to know which chemical entered your eye. A chemical's fundamental makeup is the most important factor. While acids can result in substantial redness and burning, they can be washed out pretty quickly. However, base or alkali chemicals can be much more severe even though they don't appear to be since they don't result in as much initial burning or redness as acids.

While it is sometimes unpleasant to think about an injury to the eye, it's always good to have a plan for how to respond in potentially hazardous emergencies. By being prepared you can feel confident that you'll know how to deal with most typical eye issues. Of course, extra safety protections can help you avoid this type of injuries from the get go so consult with your eye doctor about preventative eye care options!