EYE INJURIES

Most eye injuries are minor, like getting soap in the eye, but others, such as those that happen during sport activities, can be serious and require medical attention: eye injuries are the most common preventable cause of blindness, so when in doubt, do not hesitate to call the doctor.

 

 

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

 

• Redness
• Stinging or burning
• Watering
• Sensitivity to light
• Blurred vision
• Swelling of the eyelids
• Discoloration around the eye

 

WHAT TO DO

 

ROUTINE IRRITATIONS

• Wash your hands thoroughly before touching the eyelids to examine or flush to the eye.
• Do not touch, press or rub the eye itself and try to avoid the child from touching it.
• Do not try to remove any foreign body except by flushing: there is a high risk of scratching the surface of the eye, specially the cornea.
• Tilt the child's head over a basin or sink with the affected eye pointed down and gently pull down the lower lid, with his or her eyes opened as wide as possible.
• Gently pour a steady stream of lukewarm water from a pitch or faucet over the affected eye.
• Flush for up to 15 minutes, checking the eye every 5 minutes to see if the foreign body has been flushed out.
• If the irritation continues afterward, the eye should be examined by a doctor, because a particle can scratch the cornea and cause an infection.
• If a foreign body is not dislodged by flushing, it will probably be necessary a professional to flush the eye.

EMBEDDED FOREIGN BODY

• Call for emergency medical help or go to the emergency room.
• Cover the affected eye with a small cup taped in place: keep all the pressure off the eye.
• Keep the child as calm and comfortable as possible until help arrives.

CHEMICAL EXPOSURE

• If a kid gets a chemical in the eye and you know what it is, look on the product's container for an emergency number to ask for instructions.
• Flush the eye with lukewarm water for 15 to 30 minutes. If both eyes are affected, flush them in the shower.
• Call for emergency medical help or your local poison control center for specific instructions. Be ready to give the exact name of the chemical, if you have it. Nevertheless, do not delay flushing the eye first.

BLACK EYE, BLUNT INJURY or CONTUSION

For a black eye:

• Apply cold compresses intermittently: 5 to 10 minutes on, 10 to 15 minutes off. If you use ice, cover it with a towel to protect the delicate skin on the eyelid.
• Use cold compresses for 24 to 48 hours, then apply warm compresses intermittently.
• If the child feels pain, give acetaminophen. Do NOT use aspirin or ibuprofen: they can increase bleeding.
• Use an extra pillow to sleep at night and encourage the kid to sleep on the uninjured side of the face.
• Contact your doctor, who may recommend an in-depth evaluation to rule out damage to the eye.

CONTACT THE DOCTOR URGENTLY IF there is...

• increased redness
• drainage from the eye
• persistent eye pain
• any changes in vision
• any visible abnormality of the eyeball
• visible bleeding on the white part of the eye, especially near the cornea

PREVENTING EYE INJURIES

If the child is involved in sports, provide him or her with protective goggles or unbreakable glasses. Keep chemicals and other potentially dangerous objects out of the reach of children.


Here you are some interesting explanations on eye injuries: