This page will help you prepare and take appropriate action for the first aid of eye injuries.
When Do Eye Injuries Occur?
Eye injuries can occur in various ways, such as scratching the eye, getting a foreign body into it, like a wood chip, or burns resulting from exposure to chemicals. This type of injury happens by touching or rubbing the eyes after using chemicals or when chemicals spread in the air, leading to them entering the eye.
Common causes of eye injuries include:
● Foreign bodies entering the eye, such as glass, insects, or dust.
● Exposure of the eye to chemicals.
● Scratches in the eye caused by a child, a pet, or during sports activities.
Do not attempt to remove a foreign body from your eye on your own. Go directly to your doctor or the nearest emergency department in a hospital for help.
What Are the Symptoms of Eye Injuries?
The symptoms and signs indicating the presence of a foreign body in the eye:
● Severe pain accompanied by burning and irritation in the eye.
● A feeling of having something in the affected eye.
● Excessive tearing.
● Redness in the affected eye.
● An itching sensation, especially when blinking or closing the eye.
● Visual changes, blurred vision, or loss of vision in the affected eye.
● Sensitivity to bright lights.
● Bleeding in the white of the eye (subconjunctival hemorrhage).
Symptoms and signs of eye scratches:
● Eye pain.
● A feeling of having something in the scratched eye.
● If the scratch occurs in the conjunctiva, bleeding in the white of the eye (subconjunctival hemorrhage) might be noticeable.
Scratches on the cornea (the transparent part at the front of the eye) may cause more severe symptoms, including:
If a scratch occurs on the cornea (the transparent part at the front of the eye), symptoms may be more severe.
● Vision changes.
● Blurred vision.
● Sensitivity to light.
● Headache.
Symptoms of chemical burns in the eye:
● Burning sensation in the eye.
● Redness in the eye.
● Eye pain.
● Swelling of the eyelids.
● Vision changes.
● Blurred vision.
● Tearing of the eye.
How to Respond?
In case of a foreign body entering or injuring the eye:
Usually, small particles of dust or other natural materials entering the eye do not constitute an emergency, as the eye can clean itself. However, if a sharp object or other materials enter the eye, they may cause complications and persistent irritation:
● Avoid rubbing the eyes.
● Rinse the eye with clean water or saline solution.
● Blinking frequently can help tears flush out the foreign body.
● If the feeling of a foreign object in the eye persists, seek immediate medical attention at the emergency department.
Do not try to remove the object yourself; go directly to the hospital emergency department and request assistance.
In case of chemical burns in the eye:
● Call emergency services as soon as possible or go to the emergency department.
● Place your face under running water for 15 to 20 minutes and allow the water to rinse your eyes thoroughly. You can use your fingers to separate the eyelids, ensuring there are no chemical residues on your fingers.
● If wearing contact lenses, remove them as soon as possible.
Emergency service numbers in Gulf countries:
– Oman: 9999.
– Saudi Arabia: 997.
– Kuwait: 112
– Qatar: 999.
– UAE: 998.
– Bahrain: 999.
– Yemen: 195.
