Injuries
| If a chemical gets in the eye, it has to be rinsed for at least 20 minutes immediately after the injury, before calling or going to the Doctor. |
Our eyes are protected by the bony structures that create the eye socket; within this socket we have cushiony fat tissue, and our lids and lashes protect the front eye surface. Despite these protective structures, there are many sports, industrial and home eye injuries each year.
In sports, especially racquet and fast-moving ball sports, it is imperative to wear proper protective eyewear. In industry, safety eyewear is required by OSHA in any eye hazard situation. At home, safety glasses should be worn by anyone operating shop machinery equipment, working with cleaning agents, mixing any chemicals or working below falling or potential dropping objects (car repair, tree trimming, weeding and sun protection). Wear sun safety glasses while gardening.
An eye or head injury can affect any eye structure. It is very important for immediate proper care after an injury.
External injuries are easy to see: a bump or bruise; internal injuries are not as easy to detect but can be associated with some visual symptoms, light flashes, increase in floating spots or a curtain covering your vision, to name a few. If any of these symptoms occur, you need to be seen immediately. All injuries to your eyes need to be evaluated to insure no immediate damage. However, please keep in mind that follow up care is just as important because the highest incidence of retinal detachment due to trauma occurs up to 18 months after the initial injury.
The best choice is to prevent eye injury with protective eye wear, the best insurance after an injury is a through examination and proper follow up care.
LIST OF POTENTIAL PROBLEMS:
| Infant’s finger | Splashed or spilled chemicals | Oven cleaner |
| Gardening | Home and car repairs | Sports |
EYE CARE INSTRUCTIONS FOR EMERGENCIES
- Keep the eye patch in place until we remove it.
- Do not operate machinery or drive a motor vehicle while wearing the eye patch.
- Keep your head elevated.
- Do not rub your eyes.
- Apply an ice pack for swelling.
- Return to our office, if not improved when the eye patch is removed.
- Please call to make an appointment with us if any further
- concerns or questions arise.
- Take aspirin or Tylenol for pain.
- Use ointment at night for at least 1 week.
- Make an appointment for follow up care with us in 1-3 days.
