Treatment of Eye Injuries
The treatment of eye injuries varies depending on the severity and type of injury. Eye injuries may require anything from simple flushing with clean water to emergency surgery. Early treatment helps preserve vision, reduce discomfort, and prevent infection or complications.
Immediate First Aid
For all types of injuries:
Avoid rubbing or touching the eye
Do not apply pressure to the injured area
Use clean water or saline to rinse the eye in case of chemical exposure
Remove contact lenses only if they are not stuck or painful
Seek medical care urgently if symptoms worsen or do not improve quickly
Treatment by Injury Type
1. Corneal Abrasions
Treated with antibiotic eye drops or ointment to prevent infection
Lubricating eye drops ease discomfort
Most heal within a few days
2. Foreign Bodies
Removed gently using sterile instruments or irrigation
Anaesthetic eye drops may be used during removal
Followed by antibiotic drops to prevent infection
If the foreign object is embedded, specialist removal may be required.
3. Blunt Trauma
Cold compresses help reduce swelling
Pain relief with oral anti-inflammatory medications
Monitoring for complications like retinal detachment or hyphema is essential
In some cases, referral to a hospital or eye specialist is necessary
4. Penetrating Injuries
Do not remove the object yourself
Cover the eye with a rigid shield (not pressure patch)
Immediate surgical consultation is required
Antibiotics and tetanus prevention are started urgently
These injuries are vision-threatening and need rapid, expert intervention.
5. Chemical Burns
Irrigate immediately with water or saline for 15–30 minutes
Doctors know that flushing the eye as soon as possible leads to better outcomes
Alkaline burns are more dangerous than acids and need longer rinsing
Follow-up treatment includes anti-inflammatory and antibiotic drops
6. Orbital Fractures
Mild cases may heal with rest and cold compresses
Severe fractures may require surgical repair
Doctors give antibiotics to prevent sinus infections from spreading to the eye
Follow-Up and Monitoring | Treatment of Eye Injuries
Doctors may need to re-examine patients over several days to monitor healing
Doctors must promptly address infections, delayed swelling, or vision changes
The treatment of eye injuries depends on fast action, the right tools, and careful follow-up. Patients should always seek professional medical advice if they have any doubt about the severity.
[Next: Complications of Eye Injuries →]
