You can treat many minor eye irritations by flushing the eye
with water, but more serious injuries require medical
attention.
Injuries to the eye are the most common preventable cause of
blindness, so when in doubt, err on the side of caution and call
your doctor for help.
What to Do:
Routine Irritations
(sand, dirt, and other foreign bodies on the eye surface)
- Wash your hands thoroughly before touching the eyelids to
examine or flush the eye.
- Do
not
touch, press, or rub the eye itself, and do whatever you can to
keep your child from touching it (a baby can be swaddled as a
preventive measure).
- Do
not
try to remove any foreign body except by flushing, because of the
risk of scratching the surface of the eye, especially the
cornea.
- Tilt the child's head over a basin or sink with the
affected eye down and gently pull down the lower lid, encouraging
the child to open his or her eyes as wide as possible. For an
infant or small child, it's helpful to have a second person
hold the child's eyes open while you flush.
- Gently pour a steady stream of lukewarm water (do
not
heat the water) from a pitcher or faucet over the eye.
- Flush for up to 15 minutes, checking the eye every 5 minutes
to see if the foreign body has been flushed out.
- Because a particle can scratch the cornea and cause an
infection, the eye should be examined by a doctor if there
continues to be any irritation afterward.
- If a foreign body is not dislodged by flushing, it will
probably be necessary for a trained medical professional to flush
the eye.
Embedded Foreign Body
(an object penetrates or enters the globe of the eye)
If an object, such as a piece of glass or metal, is sticking out
of the eye, take the following steps:
- Call for
emergency medical help
.
- Cover the affected eye with a small cup taped in place. The
point is to keep all pressure off the globe of the eye.
- Keep your child (and yourself) as calm and comfortable as
possible until help arrives.
Chemical Exposure
- Many chemicals, even those found around the house, can damage
an eye. If your child gets a chemical in the eye and you know
what it is, look on the product's container for an emergency
number to call for instructions.
- Flush the eye (see above) with lukewarm water for 15 to 30
minutes. If both eyes are affected, flush them in the
shower.
- Call for emergency medical help.
Call your local
poison control center
for specific instructions. Be prepared to give the exact name of
the chemical, if you have it. However, do
not
delay flushing the eye first.
Black Eye, Blunt Injury, or Contusion
A black eye is often a minor injury, but it can also appear when
there is significant eye injury or head trauma. A visit to the
doctor or an eye specialist may be required to rule out serious
injury, particularly if you're not certain of the cause of the
black eye.
For a black eye:
- Apply cold compresses intermittently: 5 to 10 minutes on, 10
to 15 minutes off. If you use ice, make sure it's covered
with a towel or sock to protect the delicate skin on the
eyelid.
- Use cold compresses for 24 to 48 hours, then switch to
applying warm compresses intermittently. This will help the body
reabsorb the leakage of blood and may help reduce
discoloration.
- If the child is in pain, give acetaminophen -
not
aspirin or ibuprofen, which can increase bleeding.
- Prop the child's head with an extra pillow at night, and
encourage him or her to sleep on the uninjured side of the face
(pressure can increase swelling).
- Call your doctor, who may recommend an in-depth evaluation to
rule out damage to the eye. Call immediately if any of the
following symptoms are noted:
- increased redness
- drainage from the eye
- persistent eye pain
- any changes in vision
- any visible abnormality of the eyeball
- visible bleeding on the white part (sclera) of the eye,
especially near the cornea
If the injury occurred during one of your child's routine
activities, such as a
sport
, follow up by investing in an ounce of prevention - protective
goggles or unbreakable glasses are vitally important.
Reviewed by:
Sharon Lehman, MD
Date reviewed: July 2007
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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