Eye injuries come in many shapes and sizes, with varying degrees of severity. Some may require emergency action and immediate care by an eye care practitioner, while others can be taken care of at home. Read these guidelines for typical eye injuries, to decide your next step in case of an eye emergency. Keep in mind that general safety precautions such as wearing protective goggles or glasses may be the best way to keep your eyes safe.
A corneal abrasion or scratched eye is not something to mess around with. It can cause serious harm in a short amount of time and possibly result in blindness. Abrasions are often the result of a poke in the eye, or scratching the eye when there is dust in it. Since a scratch can open your eye to bacterial infection it's crucial to visit your eye care practitioner or an urgent care clinic. The best advice for a scratched eye is to keep it loosely closed and to see your eye doctor immediately to ensure it is isn't infected. Rubbing the eye will only cause greater damage and completely covering the eye provides the ideal environment for bacteria.
Chemical exposure is another critical type of eye injury. It can be scary to get sprayed in the eye by a potentially hazardous liquid. The first thing to figure out is which chemical went into your eye. A chemical's fundamental composition is the most significant factor. While acids can result in considerable swelling and burning, they can be rinsed out pretty quickly. However, alkali substances that are bases can be more severe even though they don't seem so because they don't cause as much initial stinging or swelling as acids.
While no one ever wants to think about an injury to the eye, it's recommended to be prepared with how to respond in serious circumstances. By being prepared you can feel confident that you'll be ready to face most typical eye injuries. Don't forget, extra safety precautions can help prevent this type of injuries altogether so speak to your eye care practitioner about preventative eye care!