Eye injuries come in many shapes and sizes, with varying degrees of severity. Some might necessitate emergency action and immediate care by an optician, while others can be taken care of at home. Follow this guide to typical eye injuries, to figure out the next step following an eye emergency. Keep in mind that general safety protections such as using safety glasses may be your best bet for avoiding eye injuries altogether.
A corneal abrasion or scratched eye is not something to fool around with. It can cause serious harm very quickly and potentially end in vision loss. Abrasions are often the result of a poke in the eye, or rubbing the eye when there is a particle of dust or sand in it. Because a scratch can make your eye susceptible to fungal infection it's crucial that you call your eye doctor or an emergency room. The best advice for a scratched eye is to cover it loosely and to see your optometrist immediately to inspect it. Rubbing the eye will only cause more harm and patching the eye can give bacteria a place to grow.
Being prepared for how to proceed if you have been sprayed in the eye by a chemical is extremely important. First, you should rinse your eye out by placing your head under a steady stream of lukewarm water for about 15 minutes. Then contact your eye care practitioner or an urgent care office to see what they recommend for such injuries. Make certain to inform the medical professional precisely what substance got into your eye and what you've done. If you're experiencing extreme blurriness, go immediately to your eye doctor or an urgent care center after washing it with water. Exposure to chemicals in the eye can result in a variety of degrees of damage, from minimal discomfort to severe harm and potentially vision loss.
While no one ever wants to think about a serious eye injury, it's always good to be prepared with how to respond in potentially hazardous situations. By being prepared you can rest assured that you'll know how to face most routine eye injuries. Don't forget, extra safety protections can help prevent these injuries altogether so consult with your optometrist about preventative eye care!