Eye injuries come in many shapes and sizes, with varying degrees of severity. Some might require emergency action and immediate care by an optometrist, while others can be taken care of at home. Follow this guide to routine eye injuries, to plan out the next step in case of an accident. Keep in mind that common sense safety measures including wearing protective goggles may be your best approach to avoiding eye problems altogether.
A corneal abrasion (scratched eye) is not something to fool around with. It can lead to serious damage very quickly and possibly result in vision loss. Abrasions are normally caused by a poke in the eye, or scratching the eye when there is a particle of dust or sand in it. Since a scratch can open your eye to fungal infection it's very important that you call your eye doctor or an emergency room. The best advice for a scratched eye is to cover it loosely and to see your eye care practitioner right away to ensure it is isn't infected. Touching the eye will only make it worse and patching the eye can give bacteria a place to grow.
A chemical burn is another critical type of eye injury. It can be frightening when your are sprayed in the eye by an unknown substance. It's critical to know which substance went into your eye. A chemical's fundamental makeup can make a big difference. Although acids can result in considerable redness and burning, they can be washed out pretty quickly. However, alkali substances that are bases can be more serious even though they don't seem so because they don't result in as much immediate eye pain or swelling as acids.
While it is sometimes unpleasant to anticipate a serious eye injury, it's advisable to have a plan for what to do in serious situations. By following these guidelines you can be assured that you'll be ready to handle most common eye problems. Don't forget, extra safety protections can help prevent these injuries altogether so consult with your eye doctor about preventative eye care !