There are a variety of different kinds of eye accidents that can take place, with varying degrees of severity. Some may necessitate emergency action and immediate care by an eye doctor, while others can be dealt with at home. Follow this guide to common eye injuries, to decide your next step following an accident. Keep in mind that common sense preventive protections including using safety goggles or glasses may be the most effective way to keep your eyes healthy.
A corneal abrasion or scratched eye is not something to mess around with. It can cause serious damage in a short amount of time and potentially result in blindness. Scratches are generally caused by a poke in the eye, or scratching the eye when there is dust in it. Since a scratch can open your eye to fungal infection it's very important that you call your optometrist or an emergency room. The best care for a corneal abrasion is to keep it loosely closed and to see your optician right away to inspect it. Rubbing the eye will only make it worse and patching the eye can give bacteria a place to grow.
Another common eye injury is chemical burn. It can be traumatic when your are splashed in the eye by a potentially hazardous liquid. The first thing to figure out is what substance entered your eye. A chemical's fundamental makeup can make a world of a difference. While acids can cause considerable redness and pain, they can be washed out pretty easily. However, alkali chemicals that are bases can be more serious but may not seem so because they don't cause as much immediate eye pain or redness as acids.
While it is sometimes unpleasant to think about an injury to the eye, it's suggested to know how to react in serious situations. By following these guidelines you can feel confident that you'll know how to deal with most common eye issues. Don't forget, extra safety precautions can help you avoid this type of injuries from the get go so consult with your eye doctor about preventative eye care!