The eyes are among the most vulnerable body parts you have. They can sustain injury very easily compared to other parts. Debris that enters the eye can scratch the eye’s surface and cause you to lose vision. Chemicals that enter the eye can cause irreparable damage. It means that you should always wear protective eyewear when working. If you sustain any eye trauma, it would be best to see a doctor immediately.

Quick action and immediate medical attention can save your vision. Here are some first aid tips you can employ in the event of some trauma or injury to the eye:

Chemical Burns

We use chemicals at home and in the office or at work, and you can easily splash them in the eyes. Experts advise that you should always wear protective eyewear when handling abrasive chemicals. You should especially be careful at home when you handle cleaning chemicals.

When you sustain chemical burns in the eyes, you should first stay calm. Please keep your eyes open until you can flush them with plenty of water. If you close your eyes, the chemicals get trapped in the eyes, and they do more damage.

You should flush the eyes with water for about 20 minutes, ensuring they are open the entire time. Afterward, go to the hospital or an eye doctor for a checkup. It is also advisable to call the local poison control center. They will give you instructions depending on the chemical that injured you.

Debris

When your eye has an object that it cannot remove, the first thing to avoid is rubbing your eyes. Lifting the upper eyelid over the lower lid and rolling your eyes would be best. It will help isolate the foreign object. Next, flush your eye with water while keeping them open. Repeat the process until you remove the foreign object.

Usually, the eye can effectively remove debris from itself through tears. You will only need treatment when you notice that the eye cannot remove the object by itself.

After such an incident, visit an eye doctor for an examination. The debris may have damaged or scratched the surface of the eye. The eye doctor will use a special dye that shows if there are any cuts on the eye’s surface.

If the object in your eye is deeply embedded, do not try to remove it. Cover your eye with a bandage or gauze and see an eye doctor immediately.

Blunt Force Trauma

If a blow to the eye is not intense, you can manage the damage at home. But if the impact is powerful, you will need medical attention. If you receive a blow to the eye, first find some ice, wrap it in a cloth, and place it over the eye over eight-minute intervals.

Call your eye doctor if you notice fluid discharge, persistent pain, bleeding, or vision changes. Usually, they will want to examine the damage, if there were displaced bones or if there was a skull fracture.

Puncture or Cut Wounds

You must see a doctor immediately if you suffer a puncture or cut to the eye or the lid. Do not try to remove an object stuck in the eye or lid. Instead, cover the eye with a protective shield and go to the doctor.

For more on what you should do in the event of an eye injury, visit Alpha Eye Group at our offices in Philadelphia, Wyomissing, Bethlehem Twp, Doylestown, or Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania. Call (215) 698-7760, (610) 376-7272, (610) 866-1000, (215) 878-7181, (215) 230-4060, or (610) 941-9780 to book an appointment today.