8 Common Eye Injuries and How to Deal With Them

You might think that eye injuries are rare. However, did you know that 200,000 workers in the US end up with work-related eye injuries every day?

Of which one-third require visitation to the emergency center. Meanwhile, more than 100 of these eye injuries result in a few days off work for these workers.

Indeed, what may look distinct can be a common thing when you take a close look at it. For threatening cases such as eye injuries, Thus, enough knowledge is in order. Read on to find out the most common eye injuries and how to best treat them!

1. Corneal Abrasion

A corneal abrasion occurs when you’re poked in the eye by scratching the surface. It can also be that there’s a foreign body present on your eye’s surface.

Corneal abrasions cause eye soreness and redness. It can also lead to severe light sensitivity. Abrasions in your eyes also make you more susceptible to fungus or bacteria.

Bacteria and fungus can penetrate your eye through scratch. This can result in graver harm within the next 24 hours. In some cases, contaminated eye abrasions can lead to blindness.

Hence, when something scratched your eye, don’t rub or attempt to patch it. Note that bacteria love growing in warm and dark areas. So putting a patch on the scratch will surely provide the ideal growing environment.

Instead, use an eye shield or loose tape a paper cup on the scratched eye. Immediately see a doctor and get this check out. For minor corneal abrasions, your doctor will at most give you an antibacterial drop.

2. Traumatic Iritis

Iris is the colored part of the eye that controls the amount of light that enters our eyes. When the iris receives a traumatic blow, such as when you get punched, or a ball hits you, it’ll inflame. When left untreated, it can lead to glaucoma, diminishing your vision.

Eye injuries such as traumatic iritis need professional help. Treatment includes prescription medication in the form of a pill, eye drops, or both.

3. Eye Trauma

Aside from corneal abrasions, eye trauma is one of the most common eye injuries worldwide. The majority of eye trauma cases fall under sports injuries or result from getting into fights. Like traumatic iris, eye trauma occurs when your eyes receive a direct blow.

Such a blow can cause severe eye pain, eye movement difficulties, or eye bleeding. Placing an ice pack on the injured eye is a necessary eye injury first aid treatment for such cases. However, it’s always best to visit a doctor afterward to ensure that there are no further damages.

4. Chemical Burns

Chemicals have acid and alkali in them, which can cause serious eye injuries. Acid, for one, can cause serious eye burn and redness. Meanwhile, alkali can damage both the external and internal eye structures.

Chemical eye injuries are a result of getting splashed by chemical substances. Chemicals may also transfer to your eyes when you rub them. In some cases, spraying liquid chemicals, especially near the eyes, may lead to a chemical eye injury.

Treatment for this eye injury depends on the severity of the compound. If you’re dealing with a subtle substance such as a soap or lotion, running water through the injured eye is enough. An immediate visit to the doctor is a must when the chemical substance involved is dangerous.

5. Eye Bleeding

Eye bleeding results from blood leaking from one or more breaks in the blood vessels located between the white part of the eye and its clear covering. Eye bleeding can be observable to a small part of your eyes or extend to the entire eye.

While this eye injury may look serious, the degree of its severity isn’t related to its appearance. Thus, don’t panic and proceed to schedule an appointment with your doctor to learn more about the injury.

In most cases, eye bleeding occurs spontaneously, and its causes are never found. The good thing is that this eye injury is painless. Often, they clear the way on their own after a few weeks from its appearance.

6. Hyphema and Orbital Blowout Fractures

Hyphema results from bleeding in the anterior chamber of the eyes. As blood flows into the eyes, the pressure quickly builds up, causing the eyelid to swell and the eye itself to turn red. When left untreated, hyphema can lead to permanent vision loss.

Meanwhile, orbital blowout fractures are breaks in the facial bones orbiting and supporting the eye. These eye injuries are commonly caused by blunt force trauma in the face. There is no better treatment for these eye injuries than an immediate visit to your local eye doctor.

7. Corneal Flash Burn

A corneal flash burn is a type of eye injury caused by light. This eye injury is like a sunburn but in the eyes. This is commonly caused by ultraviolet lights such as those found in tanning booths, the sun reflected by snow at higher altitudes where UV lights are intense, or welding arcs.

Treatments for eye injuries like this include use of dilating drops and medications. It also helps to cold compress the eyes to help decrease inflammation and soreness.

Meanwhile, antibiotic ointments are to prevent eye infections. Hence, don’t hesitate to visit your eye doctor to treat your corneal flash burn.

8. Foreign Objects in the Eye

Foreign objects getting into your eyes is one of the most common eye injuries today. Foreign bodies generally refer to objects made from glass, metal, wood, and the like. Whatever the case may be, you need an urgent visit to the emergency doctor.

Note that attempting to remove the foreign object yourself will do more harm than good. Thus, when a foreign object is penetrating any part of your eye, call someone who can assist you. After the visit to the emergency room, always follow up with an ophthalmologist for a more comprehensive eye care treatment.

Professional Handling of Eye Injuries by Warm Hands

While most common eye injuries result from spontaneous events, it doesn’t mean that they’re completely unavoidable. One preventive measure that you can take includes wearing protective glasses when operating power tools.

Injured your eye and currently looking for the best source of eye care provider? Perhaps you’re looking to buy new sunglasses?

Whatever it is, Cedar Park Vision is the eye health care provider you’re looking for! So visit or contact us today and experience the warmth our professional’s caring hands can provide you.