It is important to get medical attention for all significant eye problems. Since the eye is easily damaged, a delay in getting medical attention can cause permanent eye damage and loss of sight.

Many eye problems that are not due to injury (such as a painful red eye) have no appropriate first aid, but do need urgent medical attention.

Chemical injury to the eye can be caused by an occupational accident or by common household products such as cleaning solutions, garden chemicals, solvents, or many other types of chemicals. Fumes and aerosols can also cause chemical burns.

With acidic burns, the hazing of the cornea often clears with a good chance of recovery. Alkaline substances such as lime, lye, commercial drain cleaners, and sodium hydroxide found in refrigeration equipment present great danger of permanent corneal damage. Ongoing damage may occur in spite of prompt treatment. Risk factors are exposure to these chemicals.

A foreign body such as dust or sand can enter the eye at any time. Certain occupations such as metal or wood working may have a higher risk. The injury may be limited to the conjunctiva and the cornea, or it may affect the sclera.

Persistent pain and redness are indicators that professional treatment is needed. A foreign body may be a threat to sight if the object enters the eye itself or damages the cornea or lens. Foreign bodies propelled at high speed by machining, grinding, or hammering metal on metal present the highest risk.

A black eye is usually caused by direct trauma to the eye or face. Certain types of skull fractures can result in bruising around the eyes, even in the absence of direct trauma to the eye(s). Bleeding under the skin causes a bruise and the discoloration associated with it.

The tissue surrounding the eye turns black and blue, and then it gradually becomes purple, green, and yellow before the abnormal coloring disappears within 2 weeks. Usually, swelling of the eyelid and tissue around the eye occurs as well.

Occasionally, serious damage to the eye itself occurs from the pressure of the swollen tissue. Bleeding inside the eye can reduce vision, cause glaucoma, or damage the cornea. Accidents, occupational injuries, sports injuries, and violence are some of the risk factors associated with black eyes.

• Head injury
• Acuteiritis
• Acute conjunctivitis
• Acute glaucoma
• Orbital cellulitis
• Eyelid laceration
• Corneal abrasion
• Foreign body or object in the eye
• Chemical injury
• Blow or laceration to the eye

• Eye pain
• Loss of vision
• Decreased vision
• Double vision
• Redness -- bloodshot appearance
• Sensitivity to light
• Bleeding
• Bruising
• Cuts or wounds
• Headache
• Itchy eyes
• Pupils of unequal size
• Stinging and burning
• Sensation of foreign body in the eye

FOREIGN BODY IN THE EYE
Often, the eye will clear itself of a tiny object through blinking and tearing. If not, here are some first aid measures:
1. Do not rub the eye. Wash your hands before examining the eye.

2. Examine the affected eye in a well-lighted area. To find a foreign body, have the victim look up and down, and then side to side.

3. If you can't find the object, grasp the eyelid and gently pull down on the lower lid to expose the fold between the eyelid and the globe of the eye. If necessary, pull up on the upper lid.

4. If the foreign body can be seen on the inner surface of either the lower or upper lid, try to gently flush it out with water or use a cotton-tipped swab to invert the eyelid and inspect the underside.

5. If the foreign object is embedded in the eyeball, cover the victim's eyes with a sterile pad or clean cloth. DO NOT try to remove the object. Get medical help.

6. If you cannot locate the foreign body, or if you remove it, but the victim still has discomfort or blurred vision, cover the victim's eyes with a sterile pad or clean cloth. Get medical help.

FOR AN OBJECT STUCK IN THE EYE
1. Leave the object in place. Do not touch it or apply any pressure to it.

2. Wash your hands.

3. Calm and reassure the victim.

4. Bandage the eye. If the object is large, place a paper cup or cone over the injured eye and tape it in place. If the object is small, cover both eyes with a clean cloth or sterile dressing.

5. Try to keep the victim calm and quiet until you have medical help.

FOR CHEMICAL INJURY TO THE EYE
1. Irrigation with tap water should begin IMMEDIATELY. Turn the victim's head so the injured eye is down and to the side. Holding the eyelid open, pour fresh water in the eye for 15 minutes, or until you have medical help. You may have to force the victim's eyes open.

2. If both eyes are affected, or if the chemicals are also on other parts of the body, have the victim take a shower.

3. Remove contact lenses -- but only after the eyes have been rinsed.

4. Cover both eyes (even if only one eye is affected) with a clean dressing, and avoid any rubbing of the eyes. Even if only one eye is affected, covering both eyes will help discourage eye movement.

5. After following the above instructions, seek medical help urgently.

FOR EYE BURNS
1. Flush the eyes with cool water (unless it is painful to do so) to reduce swelling and to help relieve the pain.

2. Apply a cool compress to the eyes, but avoid applying pressure.

3. If there is swelling in or around the eyes, if the lashes or lid skin is burned, or if there is any change in vision, seek medical help.

FOR CUTS OR BLOWS TO THE EYE
1. If the eyeball has been injured, get medical help immediately.

2. Gently apply cold compresses to reduce swelling and help stop any bleeding. Do not apply pressure to control bleeding.

3. If blood is pooling in the eye, cover both of the victim's eyes with a clean cloth or sterile dressing, and get medical help immediately.

FOR EYEBALL (CORNEA) CUTS OR SCRATCHES
1. Get medical help.

2. Avoid applying pressure to the eye.

FOR EYELID CUTS
1. If the eyelid is injured, carefully wash the eye. Apply a thick layer of bacitracin or mupirocin ointment on the eyelid and on the exposed eyeball, if the victim cannot close his eyelid. Place a patch over the eye. Seek immediate medical attention.

2. If the cut is bleeding, apply direct pressure with a clean, dry cloth until the bleeding subsides.

3. Rinse with water, cover with a clean dressing, and place a cold compress on the dressing to reduce pain and swelling.

4. If the cut is more than several millimeters, or if the cut goes across the edge of the lid, seek medical help.

FOR CONJUNCTIVITIS (pink or red eye)
An itchy red or pink eye is often caused by a viral infection. Other causes may include a bacterial infection, allergy, something in the eye, or irritation. If the eye has been infected by a virus or bacteria, symptoms include: tearing; itching; runny yellow or greenish pus; crusted eyelids and lashes; and swollen eyelids.

1. Rinse the eye several times daily with artificial tears (which can be purchased without a prescription. You can place a cool washcloth over the closed eyelids to help relieve any itching or swelling. If there is yellowish pus, you may have a bacterial infection. A doctor may prescribe antibiotic eyedrops for 4 to 5 days.

2. If the symptoms do not improve, or if you have difficulty with vision, get medical help.

3. If there is considerable discharge from the eyes, or if there is swelling of the eyelids, get medical help. If there is pain (rather than itching), extreme sensitivity to light, visual loss, or nausea, the cause may a more serious condition, and immediate medical attention should be obtained.

• DO NOT press on an injured eye, or allow the victim to rub the eye(s).
• DO NOT remove contact lenses unless rapid swelling is occurring, or you cannot get prompt medical help.
• DO NOT attempt to remove a foreign body that is resting on the cornea (the clear surface of the eye through which we see), or that appears to be embedded in any part of the eye -- get medical help.
• DO NOT use dry cotton (including cotton swabs) or sharp instruments (such as tweezers) on the eye.
• DO NOT attempt to remove an embedded object.
• DO NOT let a burn become contaminated. Avoid breathing or coughing on the burned area.

• There appears to be any scratch, cut, or penetration of the eyeball
• Any chemical gets into a victim's eye
• Eye pain persists
• There are any vision problems
• Nausea accompanies eye pain

• Supervise children carefully.
• Teach safety.
• Always wear protective eye wear when using power tools, hammers, or other striking tools.
• Always wear protective eye wear when working with toxic chemicals.