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Eye Watch

The American Academy of Ophthalmology says the right first aid can help protect your eyes following an injury, whether it’s from impact trauma, puncture, debris, or chemical burns. Here’s what you need to know.

Some eye injuries may not seem immediately serious, but delaying medical treatment can result in greater damage and even permanent vision loss.

To help protect an injured eye while you’re reaching medical help, make sure your first aid kit includes a rigid eye shield and commercial eyewash.

In all cases of eye injury, DO NOT rub, touch, or apply pressure or ointments/medications to the eye. If an object is lodged in the eye, DO NOT try to remove it.

Dust, dirt, and other foreign materials may land on the surface of your eye during almost any activity. When this happens, lift the upper eyelid over the lashes of the lower lid and blink several times to let your tears flush the particle away. If this doesn’t work, keep the eye closed and seek medical attention.

A light blow may result in sand or other small debris being lodged in the eye. Use eyewash to flush the debris from the eye. If this doesn’t work, lightly bandage the eye and see an ophthalmologist or visit the nearest emergency room.

A stronger blow should be treated with a small cold compress, applied gently (no pressure). An ice pack applied gently to the forehead above the injured eye may help. If a black eye, pain, or visual disturbance occurs, get immediate medical attention.

Chemical burns should be immediately flushed with plenty of clean water for at least 15 minutes, followed by prompt emergency medical treatment. DO NOT bandage the eye.

For cuts or punctures, gently place a rigid shield around the eye. If a shield isn’t part of your first aid kit, use the bottom of a paper cup taped to the bones surrounding the eye. Seek immediate emergency medical attention.

For these more serious injuries, what you don’t do is just as important:

DO NOT rinse a cut or puncture with water or any other liquid.
DO NOT try to remove any object that is stuck in the eye.
DO NOT apply pressure to the eye.
DO NOT take aspirin, ibuprofen, or any other drugs that may thin the blood, as these will increase bleeding.