Eye injuries can occur at any time, even if you are careful to protect your eyes. Major injuries could seriously impair your sight. If you’re not sure how serious your injury is, consult with an eye specialist from Lock Family Eye Care in West Des Moines. Your eye doctor will examine your eye injury, evaluate any damage and recommend treatment. Here’s a list of some of the most common eye injuries and what to do if you sustain these injuries.
Scratched Eye (Corneal Abrasion)
Corneal abrasions or scratches are quite common. They can occur by accidentally poking yourself in the eye or rubbing your eye when there’s sand or debris inside. Symptoms include redness, soreness, and sensitivity to light. Optometry care for corneal abrasions can help prevent eye infections.
Foreign Objects in Your Eye
Foreign objects like sand, dust, gnats or eyelashes can easily be removed from your eyes by flushing them with water. If tiny pieces of wood or metal penetrate your eye, seek medical help right away. These objects can cause extensive damage in a short amount of time. Don’t try to remove these objects yourself – go to your local emergency room for immediate treatment.
Chemical Burns
Acidic chemicals like lemon juice and vinegar may sting when splashed in your eyes but pose no risk to your eye health. Alkali chemicals found in products like oven cleaners, bleach and hair spray can be quite serious when splashed or sprayed into the eyes, even if they don’t produce much pain. Rubbing your eyes after handling a product with alkali chemicals can also cause chemical burns. If chemicals get in your eye, flush your eye immediately with warm water for 10-15 minutes. Then seek optometry care. For serious burns, visit an emergency room or urgent care center right away.
Black Eye/Eye Swelling
Black eyes and eye swellings are more common than people think. An ice pack can help reduce swelling and discomfort. These injuries can be caused in an auto accident, slip, and fall, during sports play or in a fight. Our eye doctor can check your eye to rule out internal damage.
Orbital Blowout Fractures
These are fractures of facial bones close to your eye. They’re generally caused by a blunt force to your face like being hit by a bat, ball or hockey stick. Blowout fractures are extremely dangerous and require immediate emergency care.
Precautions for Contact Users
If you wear contacts, take precautionary measures to protect yourself from eye injuries. When swimming, use goggles. Wear protective goggles when riding a bike or motorcycle or working on carpentry projects to prevent flying debris or other foreign objects from entering your eyes.
Contact Us for Eye Injury Treatment At Lock Family Eyecare in Des Moines!
For treatment of a non-emergency eye injury, contact Lock Family Eye Care in West Des Moines at (515) 267-1312.
