First aid after eye injuries-Dr. Elankumaran P

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Eye injures are broadly classified into 3 types. It could be chemical injuries usually because of a splash or it could be mechanical injury because of direct impact or it could be because of suspended particles in the air. We should also remember that eye injuries could happen anywhere most commonly it happens at the work place due to the lack pf proper eye protective gear. It can also happen during sports and other activities such as a shuttle cork or a tennis ball injury to the eye or a cricket ball injury to the eye or it can also happen at home with household cleaning detergents or any sharps like knives and other things. If it a chemical injury, the first if that can happen is wash with clean water, when I mean by clean water the quality of the water should be such that we should be able to drink it. It is called as potable water because other solutions are not available at home. Use potable water. Wash vigorously. The chemicals that can cause maximum damage is also the alkalis. Acids also cause the damage and alkalis we suggest wash for atleast 30 minutes in continuous running water. So remember this wash profusely. If it is a mechanical injury, it can again be divided into blunt injury or sharp injury, the penetrating or the perforating injury. Either in any of the cases you just have to pad the eye and take him to the nearest doctor. Both chemical and mechanical injury requires padding of the eyes. Pads are not available, so a small plastic or paper cups can be used, ask the patient to close the eyes, and apply a tape over it so that there is no extra injury and take him to a doctor immediately. The most important things that the eye should not be touched or rubbed or nothing should go into the eye. Remember that chemical injuries was profusely with water. As regards the mechanical injury is do not use any water and contact the doctor as early as possible. As regarding suspending particulars the impact of the injury is usually les, the damage is usually less, it happens because the suspended particles in the air going into the eye usually it happens while travelling on the road or when you are facing a gush of air. In these cases we can wash the eyes again with potable water profusely, bandage the eyes or keep a cup over the eyes and take home to the nearest doctor possible. Most important take home message in any injury is not to touch the eyes or not to rub the eyes.