Eyes are delicate and need to stay moist and clean, and it’s helpful to know about common eye injuries. Parts of the eye, like the retina, don’t have pain receptors. So some injuries can remain unnoticed for a long time. You need to check if there are any scratches on the eye – and maintain healthy pupils and corneas. 

Hurting your eyes can have long-term and sometimes permanent effects on your vision. So eye care is vital. 

Fifty-five million eye injuries happen around the world every year. But what are the most common eye injuries and causes? And how can you avoid them?

 

Types of Eye Injuries

Cut or Scratched Eyelid 

Minor cuts on the eye, white (sclera) or eyelid, will usually heal independently. But, deeper scratches that go right through the edge of the eyelid need stitches. Be careful of rubbing your eye if you get something in it. 

Foreign objects like dust or sand grains can cause real damage and scratch the eye. Still, you can usually expel the particle without much effort or damage. But when the particlepenetrates the eye’s surface, that gets a little trickier, says Perfect Lens.

If you get something bigger stuck in the eyelid (like a hook), don’t try to remove the object yourself. Doing so may cause more damage. 

Please leave it to a medical professional at an emergency care centre or the ER. They will ensure safe removal without further injury.

Having an app like iER on your phone gives you immediate access to medical help. 

If there is a puncture in your eyeball, seek immediate medical attention as these injuries may lead to permanent blindness. 

 

Bruised Eyelids 

This most common eye injury can range from superficial to severe. That usually happens when there is blunt force trauma to the eye and surrounding bone. It is also referred to as having a “black eye”. 

The swelling that goes along with the bruise gets worse over a few days. But you can subside it by using a cold compress on the area. It’s normal for the skin around a bruised eye to change colours as it heals.

Still, it is best to have a bruised eye examined by a professional. There may be damage to the eye’s interior or bone fractures.

 

Chemical Burns

A chemical burn is very common in a household accident and can damage the eye. Strong acids and alkalis may cause severe and permanent damage to the ocular surface. 

But, soap and smoke may only cause mild irritation and dryness. When that occurs, you can use over-the-counter eye drops. 

Dangers to look out for:

• Acids or alkaline substances can splash into the eyes.
• Rubbing the eye when working with chemicals may transfer substances from the hands to the eye. That can cause permanent damage.
• Aerosol exposure causes chemical injury. It usually occurs when you use Mace, tear gas, pepper spray, or hairspray.

 

Acute Hyphema 

This is a severe type of swelling caused by bleeding in the space between the cornea and the iris. And is also caused by blunt force trauma. The blood gathers at the bottom of the cornea. 

Hyphemas can also occur from abnormal blood vessels, herpes-caused eye infections or cancer. This type of swelling indicates more significant internal damage.

Symptoms include:

• Pain
• Blurred vision

 

Subconjunctival Hemorrhage 

This is a flame-shaped bruise of the eyeball’s white part (sclera). It’s bright red. A scratch causes it on the sclera. It’s a mild injury that will subside on its own within two weeks.

 

Corneal Abrasion

This is a scratch on the cornea – the clear part of the cornea, the clear part of the eye that is in front of the iris. 

Symptoms include:

• Severe eye pain 
• Tearing 
• Constant blinking

Some children will keep their eyes closed because of a scratch by a tree or bush branch. It is also caused by a foreign object stuck under the upper eyelid. 

If left untreated, it could lead to infection. 

Here is what to do when something gets stuck under the eyelid:

• Pull the upper eyelid over the lower eyelid. This may cause your eye to tear, which may help wash out the particle, says Mayo Clinic. Or it may cause the lashes of your lower eyelid to brush away an object from under your upper eyelid.
• Rinse the eye with clean water. You can also use a saline solution to wash out the foreign object. Take a small, clean drinking glass filled with the liquid and place it around the eye socket. Keep your eye open and tilt your head back to flush it out.
• Blink. Blinking is the eye’s natural cleansing method.

Eye safety

 

Take good care of your eyes – you only get one pair. Keep them healthy by making sure they stay moist. Get enough rest and don’t have too much screen time. 

Try to prevent injuries by following the steps below.

• Wear sunglasses that protect your eyes from UVA and UVB rays when out and about in the sun. Never look into the sun! 
• If toddlers are in your home, avoid sharp edges on tables and other furniture hurting their eyes. Use a pool noodle or foam padding to cover the edges up.
• Wear the proper protective eyewear when:
  • Building
  • Sports
  • Using hazardous solvents and detergents 
• Wash your hands before touching your face!