Eye Injuries

Overview

An eye injury is any damage to the eye or the area around it. It can happen from a small speck of dust, a splash of chemicals, a scratch, a hit to the eye, or something sharp going into the eye. Some eye injuries are minor and heal quickly. Others need urgent care to protect your sight.

Yes. Eye injuries are common. Many happen at home, at work, during sports, or while doing DIY or garden jobs.

Anyone can get an eye injury. They are especially common in children, people who play contact sports, people who work with tools or chemicals, and people who wear contact lenses.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Pain or a gritty feeling in the eye
• Redness, swelling, or bruising around the eye
• Watering eyes or discharge
• Sensitivity to light
• Blurred vision or double vision
• Feeling that something is in the eye
• Trouble opening the eye
• Bleeding in the white part of the eye
• A change in the shape or size of the pupil

Symptoms in children

• Crying or being very fussy after rubbing the eye
• Rubbing the eye again and again
• Not wanting to open the eye
• Red, watery, or swollen eye
• Sensitivity to light
• Trouble seeing clearly or not wanting to look at things
• A visible speck or object near the eye

Symptoms in older adults

• The same symptoms as other adults, but they may be harder to notice if you have dry eyes or reduced vision
• New pain or redness after a fall or bump to the face
• Sudden blurred vision or a change in vision after an injury
• More concern if you have had eye surgery before, such as cataract surgery

Causes

Main causes

• Small objects such as dust, sand, grit, or metal flakes getting into the eye
• Chemical splashes from cleaning products, battery fluid, or workplace chemicals
• Scratches from fingernails, pets, branches, or contact lenses
• Blunt hits from balls, fists, falls, or car accidents
• Sharp objects such as pens, tools, or glass
• Radiation injury from welding arcs or strong sunlight, such as snow blindness
• Foreign bodies under the eyelid

Risk factors

• Not wearing protective eyewear at work or during DIY jobs
• Playing sports without eye protection
• Working with chemicals or strong cleaners without eye cover
• Wearing contact lenses and not following cleaning advice
• Having dry eyes or previous eye surgery
• Being a child or caring for young children
• Being in a car accident or fall

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• If you have eye pain that is severe or getting worse
• If you cannot see clearly, or your vision changes
• If a chemical got into your eye, even if it feels better after rinsing
• If something is stuck in the eye or you cannot remove it safely
• If the eye is very red, swollen, or sensitive to light
• If you have a contact lens injury
• If an injury happened at work or during sport and you are worried

Book a routine appointment if:

• If a mild gritty feeling or redness lasts more than a day
• If your eye still waters or feels uncomfortable after a few days
• If you had a small injury and want to make sure it is healing well
• If you have repeated eye irritation and are not sure why

Diagnosis

A doctor will ask what happened, when it happened, and what symptoms you have. They will check your vision and look closely at your eye and eyelid. They may use special eye drops to make the eye easier to examine. If the injury is more serious, they may send you to an eye specialist.

Tests that may be done

• Vision test to check how well you can see
• Slit lamp exam, where a special light and microscope are used to look at the eye
• Eye pressure check
• Special dye and blue light to look for scratches on the surface of the eye
• Checking for foreign objects under the eyelid
• Dilated eye exam to look inside the eye if needed
• Imaging such as a scan if there is a serious injury or something may be inside the eye

What to expect at your appointment

The exam is usually quick. Some tests may feel a little bright or cool, but they should not be painful. Tell the doctor if you feel pain or need a break. Do not drive yourself home if your vision is blurry or if your eyes have been dilated.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the type of injury. Minor injuries may only need gentle first aid and time. More serious injuries may need treatment from an eye doctor. The goal is to relieve pain, prevent infection, and protect your sight.

Self-care at home

• For a chemical splash, rinse the eye right away with clean, lukewarm water or saline for as long as emergency services or a healthcare professional advise. Keep rinsing while you get help.
• Do not rub the eye. This can make a scratch or object worse.
• Do not try to remove something that is stuck in the eye. Cover the eye lightly with a clean shield or pad and get help.
• For a small speck, try blinking and gently rinsing with clean water or saline. If it does not come out, get advice.
• Avoid wearing contact lenses until a doctor says it is safe.
• Follow any advice you are given about eye drops, rest, and follow-up appointments.
• Do not use cotton wool or loose bits of tissue on the eye.

Medical treatments

A doctor may remove a foreign object, clean the eye, or treat the surface of the eye to help it heal. They may give medicated eye drops or ointment to help prevent infection or reduce swelling. For some injuries, they may use treatments to lower eye pressure or help the eye heal. You may be referred to an eye specialist.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery may be needed for a deep cut, a serious injury inside the eye, a torn eyelid, a large object that cannot be removed safely, or damage that threatens vision. Most minor eye injuries do not need surgery.

Living with this condition

Most people recover well from an eye injury. You may need to rest your eye, avoid rubbing it, and go to follow-up appointments. Ask your doctor when you can drive, read, use screens, or go back to work or sport.

Lifestyle tips

• Wear any protective eyewear your doctor recommends
• Keep your hands away from your eyes and wash them often
• Avoid dusty or smoky places while the eye heals
• Do not swim or use hot tubs until your doctor says it is safe
• Follow the care advice for contact lenses, and do not wear them until cleared

Diet and exercise

No special diet is needed for an eye injury. Ask your doctor when it is safe to return to exercise, heavy lifting, or contact sports. Gentle walking is often fine, but follow your own care advice.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

It is normal to feel worried or anxious after an eye injury, especially if your vision is affected. Most people improve with time and care. If you feel very distressed, tell your doctor. If you have thoughts of harming yourself, contact your local emergency number or a crisis support service right away.

Prevention

Many eye injuries can be prevented. Wear protective eyewear at work, during DIY jobs, and when playing sports. Store chemicals safely and keep them away from children. Never rub your eye with dirty hands.

Vaccines

There is no vaccine for eye injuries.

Screening programmes

Regular eye checks can help find eye problems early. Ask your local eye care service how often you should have a check, especially if you have had an eye injury or eye surgery before.

Complications

If left untreated

• Infection of the eye
• A scratch that does not heal well and leaves a scar
• Lasting blurred vision or vision loss
• Higher pressure inside the eye
• Damage to the surface of the eye
• A serious injury inside the eye that is missed

Long-term outlook

Many eye injuries heal well, especially when they are treated quickly. Some people need follow-up care and time for their vision to settle. If you are worried, get advice early. Most people can be helped, and early care gives the best chance of protecting your sight.

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