Eye injuries come in many shapes and sizes, some more serious than others. Some may require emergency treatment and immediate care by an optometrist, while others can be treated at home. Read this guide to typical eye injuries, to determine your next step in case of an accident. Remember that general safety precautions such as using safety goggles or glasses may be your best bet for avoiding eye problems altogether.
An example of an injury that should be regarded seriously is a scratched eye. It can cause serious harm very quickly and potentially end in blindness. Scratches are commonly the result of a poke in the eye, or rubbing the eye when there is a particle of dust or sand in it. Since a scratch can open your eye to fungal infection it's critical to contact your eye care practitioner or an urgent care center. The best advice for a scratched eye is to keep it loosely covered and to see your eye care practitioner right away to check it out. Touching the eye will only make it worse and fully covering the eye provides the ideal environment for bacteria.
Being aware of how to proceed if you have been splashed in the eye by a chemical is very important. The first thing to do is place your face under a strong stream of barely warm water for about 15 minutes. Next contact your optometrist or an emergency room to see what they recommend for such injuries. Be certain to tell the doctor exactly what substance entered your eye and what you've done. If you're experiencing extreme blurriness, go straight to your eye care practitioner or an emergency room after washing it with water. Exposure to chemicals in the eye can cause a range of degrees of damage, from minimal irritation to severe harm and even blindness.
Though it is sometimes unpleasant to anticipate a serious eye injury, it's recommended to have a plan for how to respond in potentially hazardous circumstances. By being prepared you can feel confident that you'll know how to face most common eye injuries. Don't forget, extra safety measures can help you avoid these injuries altogether so consult with your eye care practitioner about preventative eye care!
