Eye Injuries

Eye injuries are damages that can affect any part of the eye – eyelids, cornea, retina, optic nerve, etc.

Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention

Eye injuries are traumas that can affect any part of the eye – the eyelids, cornea, retina, optic nerve, and more. These injuries can vary in nature and severity. They may be caused by different factors such as mechanical impact, chemical burns, or thermal damage.

Eye injuries are a serious condition that can lead to bleeding, hematoma, severe pain, corneal damage, permanently dilated pupils, traumatic cataract, glaucoma, retinal detachment, and even loss of vision.

Symptoms

Hematoma (bruising)
Redness
Pain
Irritation from light
Excessive tearing
Difficulty seeing
Double vision
Bleeding
Change in pupil or eye shape

Causes of Eye Injuries

Impact from an object, hand strike, projectile hitting the eye.
Burns of the cornea and conjunctiva with acids or other chemical substances – this type of injury is a serious condition, as chemicals can penetrate the eye.
Burns from lotions and creams.
Burns from hot liquids, flames, steam.
Exposure to bright light or ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Getting sand, metal, dust, wood particles in the eyes.
Strike with a knife, glass – can cause hemorrhage and lacerations.

Diagnosis

Visual acuity is tested, and intraocular pressure is evaluated.

Treatment

Depending on the type of eye injury, treatment is complex. When a foreign body enters the eye, it is removed with forceps or a needle. In more severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary.

For thermal burns, treatment includes antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications. If complications occur, keratoplasty may be required. For chemical burns, treatment is specific: the doctor thoroughly cleans the eye area and performs extensive irrigation with neutral solutions. Anti-inflammatory medications are applied. It may be necessary to remove necrotic tissue or perform an anterior chamber paracentesis if fluid retention is present.

For sun-related burns, local anesthetics are used to relieve direct irritation of the eyes. Analgesics and ophthalmic ointments are also prescribed.

In cases of severe blunt trauma, cuts, or penetrating injuries, implantation of an artificial intraocular lens may be required.

Prevention

Wear protective goggles when necessary
Protect your eyes during sports activities
Be careful when using cleaning chemicals
Wear UV-protective sunglasses in strong sunlight
Clean your contact lenses thoroughly

First aid for eye injuries

Frequently Asked Questions

For any eye injury – from impact, burn, or puncture – it is necessary to seek a specialist. You may not have symptoms, but there could be internal lacerations or other damage within the eye.

Applying cold compresses to the eye can help reduce swelling. If it doesn’t improve, you should seek medical help.

An eye injury after an impact can be serious, so you should not ignore your condition. It is advisable to see an eye specialist as soon as possible, before complications occur.

Placing a cold compress over your injured eye for a few minutes should be your first port of call. Place a few ice cubes (or a bag of frozen peas) in a clean cotton cloth and apply for about 10 minutes. A cold compress can relieve swelling, but you should not skip an examination by an eye specialist, as an eye impact can cause severe trauma to the eye.