An eye emergency can occur anywhere at any time. Many people have suffered from eye injuries in the workplace, on the playing field, and even at home. They can be due to chemicals, foreign objects, or blunt trauma. It is crucial to get immediate medical attention if you experience severe eye pain, redness, or swelling. Prompt action can help to save your eyesight. Here are quick actions to take during an eye emergency.  

Signs of Eye Injuries 

Eye injuries have different symptoms depending on the cause. You should get emergency care if you experience these symptoms:

• Loss of vision or decreased vision

• Eye pain, bleeding, or swelling

• Stinging or burning sensation

• Pupils of different sizes

• An eye bulging or sticking out

• Eyes not moving the same way

• Double vision

• Severe light sensitivity

• Irritation and redness

• Bruising around the eye

• Discharge from the eye 

• Severe itching

Also, if you experience severe or new headaches, they could be due to an eye injury

Quick Actions During an Eye Emergency

The actions you take immediately after an eye injury can save your vision. 

Chemical Burn Injuries 

If you suffer chemical burns from garden chemicls, cleaning products, or other chemicals, use clean water to flush your eyes. Wash your hands carefully to remove traces of chemicals before touching your face. Turn your head with your injured eye down before running water over the eye for about 15 minutes. Get to the emergency room as soon as possible. 

Small Object Injury 

If you get a small object in the eye, it can lead to irritation or loss of vision. Try to blink to see if it dislodges the object but do not rub it. Wash your hands before pulling down your eyelid and try to locate the object. You can use artificial tears to rinse out the object or a cotton swab on the eyelid. Use water to flush the object, and if the irritation persists, contact your doctor. 

Large Object Injury 

If you have a large object stuck in your eye, do not attempt to remove it. Metal, glass, wood, and other items traveling at high speed can cause severe eye injuries. Do not touch the object or apply pressure to the injured eye. Move as little as possible as you get to the emergency room. If the object is not too large, cover your eyes with a clean cloth to reduce eye movement. 

What to Avoid During an Eye Emergency 

Eye injuries can lead to severe or long-term complications. There are things you should not do during an eye emergency. These include the following:

• Do not treat yourself. This can result in worsening of the condition

• Do not rub or apply pressure to your injured eye

• Do not apply ointments or medications

• Do not attempt to remove an object stuck in the eye

• Do not use tweezers or sharp tools in the eye

If you wear contact lenses, do not attempt to remove them if you suffer an eye injury. The only time you can remove your lenses is during a chemical injury. Then, if you have scratches or cuts on the eyelid or eyeball, cover the eye using a loose bandage without applying pressure. If you sustain a blow to the eye, apply a cold compress to prevent swelling.

For more quick actions to take during an eye emergency, visit Bluebonnet Eye Care. Our office is in San Antonio, Texas. Call (210) 696-6500 to book an appointment today.