Category: Health & Safety

⚡ Responding to an Eye Injury

Eye injuries can result from chemicals, flying particles, scratches, blunt impact, cuts, burns, or objects penetrating the eye. Some injuries that initially seem minor can threaten vision.

Do not rub, press, or attempt to examine an injured eye aggressively. When in doubt, protect the eye and obtain prompt medical care.

Call 911 or Seek Emergency Care If

• An object is stuck in or penetrating the eye.
• The eye has been cut or punctured.
• The eye appears misshapen.
• Blood is visible inside the eye.
• Part of the eye is protruding.
• Vision is suddenly lost or severely reduced.
• A serious chemical exposure occurred.
• The person has severe eye pain.
• Both pupils are no longer the same size after an injury.
• The injury occurred with a serious head or facial injury.
• The person is confused, unconscious, or vomiting after being struck.
• The injury involved an explosion or high-speed object.

Do not allow the person to drive themselves.

For a Chemical Splash

Begin flushing immediately. Do not delay while trying to identify the chemical.

1. Move away from the chemical source.
2. Wash chemicals from your hands if you can do so quickly.
3. Hold the affected eye open.
4. Flush continuously with clean, lukewarm water.
5. Direct the water away from the unaffected eye.
6. Remove contact lenses if they come out easily during flushing.
7. Continue flushing for at least 20 minutes or as directed by Poison Control or emergency professionals.
8. Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for additional instructions.
9. Obtain medical care.

A shower, sink faucet, eyewash station, or clean container may be used. Use gentle water pressure.

Do not:

• Rub the eye.
• Apply eye drops unless instructed.
• Attempt to neutralize the chemical with another substance.
• Stop flushing because the eye begins feeling better.
• Delay flushing to remove contact lenses.

Call 911 for severe pain, vision changes, breathing difficulty, major facial exposure, or a highly dangerous chemical.

For Dust or a Small Loose Particle

• Do not rub the eye.
• Wash your hands.
• Blink several times.
• Allow natural tears to flush the particle.
• Rinse with clean water or sterile saline.
• Remove contact lenses if they come out easily.
• Examine the eye only in good light without touching it.

If the particle does not wash out, cover the eye loosely and seek medical care.

Do not use tweezers, cotton swabs, fingernails, or another tool to remove something from the eye.

If Something Is Embedded in the Eye

• Do not remove the object.
• Do not press on the eye.
• Do not rinse the eye.
• Do not apply ointment or medication.
• Do not allow the person to eat or drink in case a procedure is needed.
• Call 911 or go to an emergency department.

Place a rigid protective shield around the eye without touching the object. The bottom of a paper cup may be used if nothing else is available.

Do not use a tight bandage. Keep the person still and calm.

For a Blow to the Eye

A fist, ball, door, fall, or other blunt impact can injure the eye even when the skin is not broken.

• Apply a cold pack wrapped in cloth around the eye.
• Do not press directly on the eyeball.
• Keep the person’s head elevated.
• Remove contact lenses if this can be done easily.
• Monitor vision and other symptoms.

Seek urgent medical care for:

• Blurred or double vision
• Loss of vision
• Severe pain
• Increasing swelling
• Blood inside the eye
• An irregular pupil
• Difficulty moving the eye
• Flashes, floaters, or a dark curtain in the vision
• Nausea or vomiting
• Severe headache
• Loss of consciousness
• Signs of a broken bone around the eye

A “black eye” can occur with deeper eye, facial, or head injuries.

For a Cut to the Eyelid or Area Around the Eye

• Do not press on the eyeball.
• Do not remove an embedded object.
• Cover the area loosely with clean gauze.
• Control bleeding around—but not directly on—the eye.
• Seek medical care.

Cuts involving the eyelid may require specialized repair to protect normal eye function.

For a Scratch or Possible Corneal Injury

A scratch can result from a fingernail, contact lens, branch, piece of paper, or foreign material.

Possible signs include:

• Pain
• Tearing
• Redness
• Sensitivity to light
• Feeling that something remains in the eye
• Blurred vision
• Difficulty keeping the eye open

Do not rub the eye or wear contact lenses. Rinse gently with clean water or sterile saline.

Seek prompt medical care, particularly if pain, light sensitivity, or vision changes continue.

Do not use leftover antibiotic drops or another person’s medication.

Contact Lens Concerns

Remove contact lenses if:

• A chemical entered the eye and the lens comes out easily during flushing.
• The eye becomes painful or very red.
• Vision changes suddenly.
• The lens is damaged or contaminated.

Do not force out a lens that appears stuck after an injury. Continue appropriate flushing and seek medical care.

Do not put the lens back in until the eye has healed and a healthcare professional says it is safe.

Do Not Patch an Injured Eye Tightly

A tight patch can place pressure on the eye and may worsen certain injuries.

If protection is needed, use a loose shield that does not touch the eye. Keep the person from rubbing or pressing the area.

Watch for Delayed Symptoms

Seek medical care if the person later develops:

• Increasing pain
• Redness or swelling
• Drainage
• Sensitivity to light
• Blurred or double vision
• Flashes or new floaters
• A shadow or curtain across vision
• Persistent feeling of something in the eye
• Headache, nausea, or vomiting
• Difficulty moving the eye

Vision changes after an injury should never be ignored.

Prevent Eye Injuries

• Wear safety glasses or goggles for yard work, repairs, sports, chemicals, and power tools.
• Use protective equipment designed for the specific activity.
• Keep household chemicals in their original containers.
• Point spray nozzles away from the face.
• Wash your hands after using chemicals.
• Keep children away from tools, chemicals, and sharp objects.
• Do not look directly at the sun, lasers, or welding arcs.
• Follow contact-lens hygiene instructions.
• Keep an eyewash source accessible when working with chemicals.

Ordinary eyeglasses do not provide the same protection as appropriate safety eyewear.

Quick Eye-Injury Checklist

• Do not rub or press the eye.
• Begin flushing chemical exposures immediately.
• Flush chemicals for at least 20 minutes.
• Do not remove an embedded object.
• Use a loose protective shield when needed.
• Apply cold around—not directly on—a blunt injury.
• Do not use unapproved eye drops or ointments.
• Remove contact lenses only when they come out easily.
• Seek prompt care for pain or vision changes.
• Call 911 for penetrating injuries, severe chemical exposure, or sudden vision loss.

Suggested Guides

• First Aid Basics: What Everyone Should Know
• Treating Minor Cuts, Scrapes & Puncture Wounds
• Responding to a Head Injury or Possible Concussion
• What to Do After a Poisoning or Chemical Exposure
• Choosing Between Your Doctor, Urgent Care & the Emergency Room
• Preventing Burns & Electrical Injuries

Important Health & Safety Notice

The information in this guide is provided for general educational purposes only. Independence Answers is not a medical provider, and this content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or supervision. Always follow the instructions of your doctor, pharmacist, or other qualified healthcare professional, especially if you have a medical condition, take medication, or are unsure whether an action is safe for you.

Do not ignore or delay seeking professional care because of something you read here. If you believe someone may be experiencing a serious or life-threatening emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.