Even a minor eye injury can cause serious, lifelong eye damage. Bleeding in the eye caused by an eye injury may lead to glaucoma later in life. Eye injuries can cause loss of vision or complete loss of an eye.
Eye injuries can happen at any time anywhere. Children in school, athletes at play, and do it yourselfers at home are all at risk for vision-threatening eye injuries.
If you get a speck in your eye:
- DO NOT RUB your eye
- DO NOT use tweezers or other sharp implements to remove it
- Flush the eye with large amounts of clean water
- See your eye doctor to make sure there are no debris left or secondary injuries
Cuts, punctures, or foreign objects in the eye:
- DO NOT WASH out the eye
- DO NOT TRY TO REMOVE a foreign object stuck in the eye
- Seek immediate medical attention
- Try to avoid rubbing the eye
Blows to the Eye:
- Seek immediate medical attention
Chemical Burns
- Immediately flush the eye with cool, clean water
- Open the eyelids as wide as possible
- Continue flushing for at least 15 minutes
- Seek immediate medical attention from your eye doctor
Eye injuries are serious threats to your vision and eye health. Seek help from your eye doctor for all eye injuries and emergencies. Vision is your most precious gift.