Everyone’s eyes are important to them. When something goes wrong, the first thing they do is go to a doctor to make sure that everything is okay. The same should be said for when a severe ocular injury occurs as well, and they can happen just about anywhere. So, what should you do with an eye injury before you get to a hospital? Here’s how you can stay safe.
The Types Of Ocular Trauma
Knowing how to care for an eye injury is first dependent on the kind of ocular trauma that you’re facing. There are usually four of the most common types of eye injuries that eye doctors in utah can face.
- Cuts and scratches: these are usually caused by fingers or foreign objects coming into contact with the eye. Cuts and scratches usually take place on the cornea, which can become quite irritated. In most cases, these will heal on their own, but if there are some medical problems, medical attention should be sought immediately.
- Penetration: this is the most severe injury that can happen to an eye, where it is actually punctured in some way. In some circumstances, the object might be stuck in the eye; the object should not be removed and medical care should be sought immediately.
- Blunt force impact: where a blunt object strikes the eye quite hard. Vision problems may occur, as well as swelling and bruising. In severe cases, the bones and muscles around the eye can become damaged.
- Chemical burns: some harmful chemical substance has entered the eye. This can be anything from shampoo and the chemicals used in a swimming pool, to industrial cleaners and fertilizers.
Treating Cuts And Scratches
When it comes to treating cuts and scratches on the eye, you should not rub your eye, as if some foreign matter is present, you can create more scratches and exacerbate the condition. Blink your eyes as much as possible to produce tears and help with lubrication as well as getting out any foreign substance that is still present.
Treating Eye Penetration
Don’t try to remove the object from your eye, don’t rub your eye, and don’t take any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to help with the pain. The best thing you can do is put some kind of shield over the eye and seek the attention of a doctor immediately.
Treating Blunt Force Trauma
Use a cold compress in order to reduce the swelling and pain. Don’t use food items, as this can cause an eye infection.
Treating Chemical Burns
Flush out your eye with clean water until the burning sensation goes away. Do not rub your eyes as this can spread the chemical around the eye and make the sensation worse. If you can, gather as much information as you can about the chemical and what to do if it gets in your eye. Any traumatic injury to the eye should be treated immediately before it gets worse. The eye and the surrounding area are quite sensitive, so any damage, if left untreated, could worse into conditions that require serious medical intervention.
