Introduction:
Injuries to the eye are commonly seen in emergencies such as road traffic accidents and sports injuries. However, severe eye trauma can occur anywhere, anytime, and includes cuts, burns, foreign bodies, and chemicals in the eye. Eye trauma can cause vision loss if prompt care is not initiated in the emergency setting. Penetrating eye injuries are scary and get more complicated if a foreign body is found in the eye. Toxic materials such as copper and iron, vegetables, and other inert substances such as plastic or glass can get stuck in the eye. Therefore, it is prudent to wear eye protection when involved in impact sports or any other hazardous activity. Daily use items such as cleaning solutions or chemicals used in the garden can also cause severe eye injuries. Quick diagnosis, immediate referral to an eye specialist, and prompt treatment can help to preserve vision.
What Are the Common Eye Injuries?
Eye injuries can cause pain, swelling, bruising, redness, vision changes, problems in eye movements, and bleeding. Common eye injuries include the following:
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Black Eye: A bruised, painful, and swollen area around the eye due to a blow or trauma is called a black eye. The swelling seen in black eyes can make it difficult to see.
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Bleeding: Eye trauma can cause bleeding. Blood can be seen pooled in the conjunctiva (the transparent skin part of the eye), the sclera (the white part of the eye), and between the eye layers. Blood leaks can also occur in severe cases.
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Irritation and Burns: Fumes, chemicals, and other irritants can damage or burn the eye, causing vision loss.
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Scratches: Scratches from fingernails, contact lenses, and other foreign objects can cause irritation, pain, eye-watering, and sensitivity to light.
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Foreign Objects in the Eye: Dirt, debris, glass, sawdust, and other toxic and inert materials can get lodged in the eye. This results in pain and vision problems.
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Fracture of the Eye Socket: The bones around the eye can fracture due to blunt force or trauma. The eye socket can shatter during such injuries, and the muscles supporting the eye get damaged or trapped. These require prompt diagnosis and treatment.
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Detached Retina: Eye trauma can cause the thin tissue in the back of the eye (retina) to detach from the eye wall. Retinal detachment leads to loss of vision.
Who Is Susceptible to Harm Their Eyes?
Eye injuries can happen to anyone. Youngsters and teenagers are more prone to suffer eye injuries, particularly when participating in sports or other leisure activities. There is a larger danger for those participating in contact sports like hockey and football. A flying ball can cause eye injuries in players of baseball and softball.
Workers in the construction industry and those who handle chemicals, lasers, and other potentially irritating substances are more likely to get eye injuries at work. At-home eye injuries can occur when using pyrotechnics, cooking, cleaning, or doing garden labor.
What Are the Signs of Eye Injury in an Emergency?
Common eye problems such as eye pain or pink eye do not indicate a medical emergency. Instead, these can be caused by other problems such as infections, migraine headaches, or contact lens use. Most minor injuries to the eye heal with at-home treatments and sufficient rest. However, severe eye trauma can result in damage and vision loss. The common signs and symptoms of an eye emergency include the following:
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A visible wound is present in the eye.
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The eye appears bloodshot after a trauma.
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Partial or complete vision loss.
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Fluid or blood leakage from the injured eye.
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Damage due to eye exposure to fumes and chemicals.
What to Do When Someone Has an Eye Emergency?
If someone has an eye emergency, immediately seek emergency medical care. Call for emergency help or take the person to the emergency department. Here are a few steps to manage eye trauma initially in an emergency:
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If toxic chemicals come in contact with the eyes, flush them with water immediately. Hold underwater for 15 minutes, do not rub, touch, or bandage the eye.
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In case of a blow to the eye, put a cold compress without putting pressure on the eye. Put crushed ice in a plastic bag, and tape it to the forehead to the injured eye without any additional pressure.
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Do not wash or apply pressure in case of eye cuts.
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If a foreign object, such as a contact lens, is stuck in the eye, do not try to remove it without medical help. Also, do not rub or apply pressure. Instead, cover the eye loosely with cloth or gauze.
What to Do if a Child’s Eyes Are Exposed to Chemicals?
First, as soon as the patient can, rinse the eyes:
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To avoid getting hands in the eyes, wash them with soap and water.
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If the youngster wears contact lenses, take them out.
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To remove the water from the eye, tilt the child's head to the side and place the affected eye on the bottom of a washbasin or basin.
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As the youngster blinks, slowly apply room-temperature water to the affected eye for fifteen minutes.
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Patients can rinse both eyes in the shower at once if the child is cooperative and both eyes have received chemicals in them.
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If the child is having difficulty cooperating, remember that cleaning their eyes will help, even for a short while. After rinsing, get emergency medical care.
How Is Eye Trauma Managed in an Emergency?
Management of eye trauma depends on the type and severity of the eye injury. In case of a severe eye injury, call for help immediately or go to the emergency department. The emergency physician assesses the patient promptly at first contact. Initial trauma assessment and resuscitation measures such as oxygen masks, special tubes to assist in breathing, intravenous access, emergency medications, and others are initiated immediately without delay. A quick history of the trauma is elicited, including the following:
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Patient's age.
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Date and time of injury.
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Mechanism of trauma.
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Injuries sustained.
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Presence of signs and symptoms of eye injury such as swelling, redness, and diminished vision.
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Interventions that have already been given.
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Previous history of eye surgery or trauma.
An eye shield is used to protect the eye from further damage. Painkillers (analgesics) and prophylactic broad-spectrum antibiotics are administered. Tetanus vaccine is administered. Urgent referral to a well-facilitated hospital is done if the patient has sustained a severe eye injury. With specialized equipment, an eye specialist doctor or surgeon assesses the patient and determines the diagnosis and investigation required. The various imaging tests performed to diagnose the extent of eye trauma include eye X-rays, ultrasound, and computerized tomography. Medications and eye drops are prescribed to avoid further swelling and infections. Surgical repair is done whenever required. Antibiotics are directly injected into the eyes to prevent infections during surgery. At times multiple operations are performed to restore vision.
How Can Eye Injuries Be Prevented?
Planning and using the appropriate gear can help with eye injury prevention. To prevent harm to the eyes, patients ought to:
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Put on Safety Goggles or Glasses: Protecting the eyes is crucial when participating in sports or other activities that increase the risk of harm. When using chemicals, power tools, sawing wood, or performing garden labor, wear the proper eye protection.
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Safely Store Chemicals: Keep bleach, cleansers, detergents, and other chemicals out of children's reach. Use safety goggles when handling cleaning supplies.
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Use Caution When Handling Fireworks: Adults only should handle fireworks. Wear safety glasses at all times, and carefully read labels.
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Never Allow Kids to Play With Laser Pointers: Never point a laser pointer in someone's eyes.
Conclusion:
In the case of medical emergencies such as road traffic accidents, eye trauma can occur. Eye trauma also happens at home or work due to various accidents. Injury to the eye during everyday activity can be prevented by simple measures such as wearing eye protection during chemical use, impact sports, and other hazardous activities. Eye trauma can cause damage to the eye, eyeball, and the bones and tissues around the eye. Management depends on the type and severity of the trauma. Severe eye trauma requires immediate assessment by an eye specialist doctor and prompt treatment initiation to prevent further damage and vision loss.
