Image: Garretttaggs55@commons.wikimedia.org |
Human eyes are one of the most fragile organs in the human body. Injuries that occur in the eyes could cause blindness if not treated fast and in the right way. You surely don’t want this to happen to you or your beloved ones, right?
Even though there are many minor injuries that can be treated at home only by flushing the eye with water, some more serious injuries need medical treatment.
The causes of injury are varied ranging from the minor ones such as getting soap in one’s eye to disastrous which results in permanent loss of vision or even loss of the eye. Some chemical s such as soap or sunscreen become pain to the eye and usually do not affect permanent injury.
On the other hands, objects such as a piece of glass or metal can be harmful to the eye. If this kind of things happen, get immediate medical help. Get eye injury first air such as applying cold compress, but not putting pressure on the eye. For bruising, change vision to bleeding , you should see a doctor right away. You should keep in mind that every injury that occurs to the eye, DO NOT RUB OR TOUCH it, even when it feels so itchy.
Here are some more things to do as eye injury treatment.
If foreign particles like sand, dirt, or small debris enter your eyes:
· DO NOT rub the eye.
· Wash your hands before lifting the upper eyelid over the lashes. This can prevent the foreign particles to scratch the cornea.
· DO NOT try to remove the foreign particles except by flushing it.
· Tilt your head over a sink with the injured eye down and gently pull down the lower lid. Try to open your eye as wide as possible.
· Gently pour lukewarm water over the eye. You can also use eyewash.
· Check if the foreign particles have been flushed out.
· If the particles remain, keep your eye closed and quickly seek medical treatment.
If there’s a blow to the eye:
· DO NOT rub or press the eye.
· Gently apply cold compress to reduce swelling and pain.
· If a black eye occurs, and you feel pain or visual disturbance even after the cold
compress, immediately contact emergency room.
· Notice that even a light blow can cause an eye injury.
If your eye is exposed to chemicals burn to the eye:
· Immediately flush the eye with a lot of clean water.
· Seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
If your eye has been cut or punctured with sharp materials:
· DO NOT rub or press the eye.
· DO NOT flush the eye with water or put any eyewash.
· DO NOT try to remove the object stuck in the eye.
· Quickly shield the eye. You can use a paper cup taped to the bone under the injured eye.
· Avoid consuming pain reliever drugs such as aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs.
· After finished protecting the eye, immediately seek emergency medical treatment.