Topic Overview
It's common for a speck of dirt to get blown into your eye, for soap to wash into your eye, or for you to accidentally bump your eye. For these types of minor eye injuries, home treatment is usually all that is needed.
See an illustration of the eye.
Some sports and recreational activities increase the risk of eye injuries.
- Very high-risk sports include boxing, wrestling, and martial arts.
- High-risk sports include baseball, football, tennis, and fencing.
- Low-risk sports include swimming and gymnastics (no body contact or use of a ball, bat, or racquet).
Blows to the eye
Direct blows to the eye can damage the skin and other tissues around the eye, the eyeball, or the bones of the eye socket. Blows to the eye often cause bruising around the eye (black eye) or cuts to the eyelid. If a blow to the eye or a cut to the eyelid occurred during an accident, be sure to check for injuries to the eyeball itself and for other injuries, especially to the head or face. Concern about an eye injury may cause you to miss other injuries that need attention.
Burns to the eye
Burns to the eye may be caused by chemicals, fumes, hot air or steam, sunlight, tanning lamps, electric hair curlers or dryers, or welding equipment. Bursts of flames or flash fires from stoves or explosives can also burn the face and eyes.
- Chemical burns can occur if a solid chemical, liquid chemical, or chemical fumes get into the eye. Many substances will not cause damage if they are flushed out of the eye quickly. Acids and alkali substances can damage the eye. It may take 24 hours after the burn to determine the seriousness of an eye burn. Chemical fumes and vapors can also irritate the eyes.
- Bright sunlight (especially when the sun is reflecting off snow or water) can burn your eyes if you do not wear sunglasses that filter out ultraviolet (UV) light. Eyes that are not protected by a mask can be burned by exposure to the high-intensity light of a welder's equipment (torch or arc). The eyes also may be injured by other bright lights, such as from tanning booths or sunlamps.
For more information, see the topic Burns to the Eye.
Foreign objects in the eye
A foreign object in the eye, such as dirt, an eyelash, a contact lens, or makeup, can cause eye symptoms.
- Objects may scratch the surface of the eye (cornea) or become stuck on the eye. If the cornea is scratched, it can be hard to tell whether the object has been removed, because a scratched cornea may feel painful and as though something is still in the eye.
- Small or sharp objects traveling at high speeds can cause serious injury to many parts of the eyeball. Objects flying from a lawn mower, grinding wheel, or any tool may strike the eye and possibly puncture the eyeball. Injury may cause bleeding between the iris and cornea (hyphema), a change in the size or shape of the pupil, or damage to the structures inside the eyeball. These objects may be deep in the eye and may require medical treatment.
In the case of a car air bag inflating, all three types of eye injuries can occur. The force of impact can cause a blow to the eye, foreign objects may enter the eye, and chemicals in the air bag can burn the eye.
Eye injuries can be prevented by using protective eyewear. Wear safety glasses, goggles, or face shields when working with power tools or chemicals or doing any activity that might cause an object or substance to get into your eyes. Some professions, such as health care and construction, may require workers to use protective eyewear to reduce the risk of foreign objects or substances or body fluids getting in the eyes.
After an eye injury, you need to watch for vision changes and symptoms of an infection. Most minor eye injuries can be treated at home. See the Home Treatment section for first aid measures.
Review the Emergencies and Check Your Symptoms sections to determine if and when you need to see a doctor.
Emergencies
Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.
- An object has punctured and penetrated the eye. Note: Do not bandage or put any pressure on the eye. If an object has penetrated the eyeball, hold the object in place to prevent further movement and injury to the eye.
- An eyeball is bulging out of its socket or looks abnormal after an injury.
- Sudden partial or complete vision loss has occurred in one or both eyes. Note: Treatment is needed within 90 minutes to save vision.
- Severe pain continues after 30 minutes of flushing a chemical from the eye.
- Normal vision is limited to one functional eye.
Check Your Symptoms
If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.
- A flash burn or chemical burn to your eye: Go to the topic Burns to the Eye.
- An object in your eye: Go to the topic Objects in the Eye.
Do you have an object in your eye? Note: If the object hit your eye at a high speed or is a piece of metal, do not try to remove it.
See significance of an object in the eye if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Did an object hit the eye at a high speed? Note: There is a high risk of serious injury to your eye. Even if symptoms appear minor, your eye should be evaluated by a doctor.
Are you having trouble seeing things clearly?
Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Do you have a piece of metal on the surface of your eye?
Do you have mild blurred vision that does not clear by blinking your eye?
Is your eye still painful or scratchy after removing an object and using home treatment for 12 hours or longer? Note: Put on dark glasses. Do not bandage or put pressure on the eye. Do not use any nonprescription eyedrops in the eye.
Are you unable to remove an object from the surface of the eye with home treatment measures?
Do you have a feeling that something is in your eye (foreign body sensation) or a feeling of sand in your eye when you blink?
You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Have you had any pain, redness, swelling, sensitivity to light, or a change in vision for 24 hours or longer after removing an object from your eye?
| Note: |
If you are not 100% better 24 hours after an object has been removed from your eye, see your doctor. |
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
Have you been hit in the eye?
See significance of being hit in the eye if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Do you think something punctured your eye?
Does your eye not move normally in all directions?
Do you have severe pain?
Do you have double or blurred vision that does not clear with blinking?
Do you think the bones around your eye socket are broken?
Do you have blood in your eye that is:
- Over the colored part (iris) of the eye?
- Increasing after the initial injury?
- Causing swelling and pain?
| Note: |
If you have blood in your eye, do not use any aspirin products for your symptoms because aspirin products may cause more bleeding in your eye. |
Can you see blood over the colored part (iris) of the eye when the injured person raises his or her head?
Have you suddenly developed flashes of lights?
Do you have a headache, nausea, or vomiting?
Has your eye moved downward in its socket?
Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Do you have mild to moderate pain in the eyeball that has not improved within 1 to 2 hours?
Do you have blood in the eye that covers more than one-quarter of the white part (sclera) of the eye?
Are your eyes sensitive to light (photophobia)?
You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Have you had blood in less than one-quarter of the white of the eye longer than 2 to 3 days, but you do not have pain or a change in your vision?
Have you had mild to moderate pain in the area around the eye (not the eyeball) that is not getting better after 12 hours of home treatment?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
Have you had eye problems after an ultraviolet (UV) light exposure? Note: You may not have any symptoms for 6 to 8 hours after exposure to ultraviolet light.
See significance of an ultraviolet (UV) light exposure to the eye if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Do you have severe pain?
Do you have decreased vision?
Do you have blisters on your eyelid?
Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Do you have moderate pain, but your vision is normal?
Do you have blurred vision that does not get better when you blink your eye?
You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Do you have mild pain that is not getting better after using home treatment for 12 hours or longer?
| Note: |
If pain is not 100% better after 24 hours of home treatment, see your doctor. |
Do you have a small to moderate amount of discharge after 24 hours of home treatment?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
See significance of a cut to the eye if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
| Note: |
If you need a tetanus shot, call your doctor to arrange for the shot within 48 hours of the injury.
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| Note: |
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Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Do you have a cut on your eyelid and you think you may have damaged your eye?
Do you have many cuts on your eyelid or around your eye?
Do you have blood over the colored part (iris) of your eye?
Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Do you have a cut near your eye that might need stitches (sutures)? Stitches need to be done within 8 hours of the injury.
| Note: |
A small cut on the inner corner of the eyelid may damage tear ducts and should be checked by a doctor. |
Were you cut by something clean and your last tetanus shot was longer than 10 years ago?
| Note: |
Something is clean if it does not have dirt, soil, spit, or feces on it. Examples include a broken water glass, a kitchen knife, or sewing scissors. |
Were you cut by something dirty and your last tetanus shot was longer than 5 years ago?
| Note: |
Something is dirty if it has dirt, soil, spit, or feces on it. Examples include a garden tool, a dirty nail, or a piece of glass that has been buried in the dirt. |
Are you not sure if you were cut by something clean or dirty and your last tetanus shot was longer than 5 years ago?
Are you not sure when you had your last tetanus shot?
Did you not get the first series of tetanus shots (primary vaccination series)?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
See significance of abuse and an eye injury if you need information to help you answer the question below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
Do you think you have an infection after an eye injury?
See significance of signs of infection if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Do you have a disease or take medicine that causes problems with your immune system?
Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Do you have pain in your eye?
Do you feel like you have something in your eye (foreign body sensation)?
Are your eyes very sensitive to light (photophobia)?
Do you have a yellow, green, bloody, or watery discharge from your eye?
Is redness of your eye or eyelids getting worse?
Do you have a gray or white sore on your eye?
Do you have a fever?
Do you have blurred or decreased vision?
You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Do you have a small to moderate amount of discharge after 24 hours of home treatment?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
Other Symptoms to Watch For
Do you have any of the following symptoms?
- An eye problem without an eye injury, such as pain, blurred vision, or blood in the eye: Go to the topic Eye Problems, Noninjury.
- Facial injury: Go to the topic Facial Injuries.
- Head injury: Go to the topic Head Injury, Age 4 and Older or Head Injury, Age 3 and Younger.
- A cut in the skin near the eye or on the eyelid without an injury to the eyeball: Go to the topic Cuts.
- Sunburn: Go to the topic Sunburn.
- Burn to the face: Go to the topic Burns.
If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.
Home Treatment
Most minor eye injuries can be treated at home.
- If you have a cut on your eyelid, apply a sterile bandage or cloth to protect the area. If you don't have a sterile bandage, use a clean cloth. Do not use fluffy cotton bandages around the eye that could tear apart and get stuck in the eye. Keep the bandage clean and dry.
- To reduce swelling around the eye, apply ice or cold packs for 15 minutes 3 or 4 times a day during the first 48 hours after the injury. The sooner you apply a cold pack, the less swelling you are likely to have. Place a cloth between the ice and your skin. After the swelling goes down, warm compresses may help relieve pain.
- Do not use chemical cooling packs on or near the eye. If the pack leaks, the chemicals could cause more eye damage. Do not use a piece of raw meat on an injured eye.
- Keep your head elevated to help reduce swelling.
- Try a nonprescription pain medicine such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin to relieve pain. Do not take aspirin if you are younger than 20 unless your doctor tells you to.
More specific home treatment can be used for certain types of eye injuries.
- First aid for objects in the eye
- First aid for a blow to the eye and a black eye
- First aid for heat burns to the eyes or the area around the eyes
- First aid for minor cuts to or around the eyes
If your eye symptoms are not completely gone after 24 hours of home treatment, see your doctor.
Eye injury in a child
Applying first aid measures for an eye injury in a child may be difficult, depending on the child's age, size, and ability to cooperate. Having another adult help you treat the child is helpful. Stay calm and talk in a soothing voice. Use slow, gentle movements to help the child remain calm and cooperative. A struggling child may need to be held strongly so that first aid can be started and the seriousness of the eye injury assessed.
| Try a nonprescription medicine to help treat your fever or pain: |
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| Be sure to follow these safety tips when you use a nonprescription medicine: |
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Symptoms to Watch For During Home Treatment
Use the Check Your Symptoms section to evaluate your symptoms if any of the following occur during home treatment.
- Decreased, double, or blurred vision doesn't clear with blinking.
- Pain has not gotten better in 12 hours or has not gone away after 24 hours.
- Blood develops over the colored part (iris) of the eye.
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia) develops.
- Bruising around the eye has not improved within 7 days, or blood in the white part of the eye is still there after 2 weeks.
- Signs of infection develop.
- Symptoms become more severe or more frequent.
Prevention
The following tips may help prevent eye injuries.
- Wear safety glasses, goggles, or face shields when you hammer nails or metal, work with power tools or chemicals, or do any activity that might cause a burn to your eyes. If you work with hazardous chemicals that could splash into your eyes, know how to flush chemicals out, and know the location of the nearest shower or sink.
- If you are welding or near someone else who is welding, wear a mask or goggles designed for welding.
- Wear protective eyewear during sports such as hockey, racquetball, or paintball that involve the risk of a blow to the eye. Baseball is the most common sport to cause eye injuries. Fishhook injuries are another common cause of eye injuries. Protective eyewear can prevent sports-related eye injuries more than 90% of the time. An eye examination may be helpful in determining what type of protective eyewear is needed.
- Injuries from ultraviolet (UV) light can be prevented by wearing sunglasses that block ultraviolet (UV) rays and by wearing broad-brimmed hats. Be aware that the eye can be injured from sun glare while boating, sunbathing, or skiing. Use eye protection while you are under tanning lamps or using tanning booths. Laser pointers have not been shown to cause eye injury.
- Wear your seat belt when in a motor vehicle. Use child car seats.
Prevention tips for children
Eye injuries are common in children, and many can be prevented. Most eye injuries happen in older children. They happen more often in boys than in girls. Toys—from crayons to toy guns—are a major source of injury, so check all toys for sharp or pointed parts. Household items, such as elastic cords, can also strike the eye and cause injury.
Teach your children about eye safety.
- Be a good role model—always wear proper eye protection.
- Get protective eyewear for your children and help them use it properly.
- Teach children that flying toys should never be pointed at another person.
- Teach children how to carry sharp or pointed objects properly.
- Teach children that any kind of missile, projectile, or BB gun is not a toy.
- Use safety measures near fires and explosives, such as campfires and fireworks.
Any eye injury that appears unusual for a child's age should be evaluated as possible child abuse.
Preparing For Your Appointment
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment
If you have had an eye injury that affects your vision, have someone else drive you to your doctor. If you are wearing contact lenses, remove them and take your glasses with you.
You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions.
- What are your main symptoms? How long have you had your symptoms?
- How and when did the injury occur?
- Have you had any injuries in the past to the same eye? Do you have any continuing problems because of the previous injury?
- Is there a foreign object in the eye? What is the object? Did it fall into the eye or did it fly into the eye at high speed?
- What type of substance was splashed into your eye? How and when did it happen? Take the container with you.
- How did the heat (thermal) burn occur?
- How did the ultraviolet (UV) light burn occur?
- Do you wear glasses or contacts? Did you remove your contact lens? Has the injury affected your vision (as corrected with glasses or contacts)?
- What kind of vision changes are you having (not related to removing your eyeglasses or contact lenses)?
- What home treatment have you tried? Did you flush your eye with water for 30 minutes as a first aid measure? Did it help?
- What prescription and nonprescription medicines do you take?
- Were drugs or alcohol involved in your injury?
- Do you have any health risks?
Credits
| Author | Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Ian MacDonald, MDCM, FRCSC - Ophthalmology |
| Last Updated | December 13, 2005 |
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