Eye Injuries

Emergencies

Yes	Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• An object has punctured and penetrated the eye. Note: Do not bandage or put any pressure on the eye. If an object has penetrated the eyeball, hold the object in place to prevent further movement and injury to the eye.
• An eyeball is bulging out of its socket or looks abnormal after an injury.
• Sudden partial or complete vision loss has occurred in one or both eyes. Note: Treatment is needed within 90 minutes to save vision.
• Severe pain continues after 30 minutes of flushing a chemical from the eye.
• Normal vision is limited to one functional eye.

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

• A flash burn or chemical burn to your eye: Go to the topic Burns to the Eye.
• An object in your eye: Go to the topic Objects in the Eye.

Yes	Do you have an object in your eye? Note: If the object hit your eye at a high speed or is a piece of metal, do not try to remove it.
Yes	Have you been hit in the eye?
Yes	Have you had eye problems after an ultraviolet (UV) light exposure? Note: You may not have any symptoms for 6 to 8 hours after exposure to ultraviolet light.
Yes	Do you have a cut on or around your eye?
Yes	Do you think an eye injury may have been caused by abuse?
Yes	Do you think you have an infection after an eye injury?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Do you have any of the following symptoms?

• An eye problem without an eye injury, such as pain, blurred vision, or blood in the eye: Go to the topic Eye Problems, Non-injury.
• Facial injury: Go to the topic Facial Injuries.
• Head injury: Go to the topic Head Injury, Age 4 and Older or Head Injury, Age 3 and Younger.
• A cut in the skin near the eye or on the eyelid without an injury to the eyeball: Go to the topic Cuts.
• Sunburn: Go to the topic Sunburn.
• Burn to the face: Go to the topic Burns.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: January 23, 2008
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Christopher J. Rudnisky, MD, FRCSC - Ophthalmology
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