Notes when treating eye injuries at home

Eye injury is an injury to the eye caused by different physical, chemical, and mechanical causes. There are three degrees of eye injury:
Injury to the appendages: are the protective outer parts of the eye such as eyelids, ocular muscles, tissues, orbital bones, lacrimal apparatus, nerves and blood vessels. in the eye socket,... Injury to the eye: including parts such as the cornea, conjunctiva,... Injury to both the main and the appendages of the eye. Classification of injuries according to the mechanism is divided into 2 types:
Concussion trauma: Due to the impact of a magnetic head on the eye with great acceleration, it causes contusion and bleeding or tissue rupture. Because this mechanism causes pressure changes in surgery and organization, the location of tissue cracks and tears is often at weak points or opposite the affected site. For example, blunt trauma to the eyeball often results in rupture of the eyeball in the rectus fascia, the limbic region, or the equatorial region.

Penetration wound: Due to sharp objects impacting the tissue with great acceleration, it causes tearing and rupture of the tissue at the impact site. A penetrating wound is an injury that penetrates the entire tissue of the eye. Depending on whether the causative agent is still present in the tissue or not, the penetrating wound may have no foreign body or a foreign body. For example, due to landmine explosion causing corneal injury with intraocular metal object,...
Depending on the location of the eye injury, it affects the patient's visual function as well as aesthetics of the patient. . Injury to the ocular adnexa is more common than ocular involvement, and may be associated with other lesions of the head and face. Therefore, the management is also different, and the treatment is in different specialties.

Treatment of eye injuries according to a general principle includes:
Small and superficial injuries, do not need treatment: that is, absolutely do not touch, rub the eyes, do not compress the eyes because this can cause more serious damage. more important. If after 48 hours, the condition does not improve, you need to go to a medical facility for an examination. Cases of penetrating wounds: do not withdraw or remove foreign objects from the eye. Get the patient to the hospital as soon as possible. Do not arbitrarily buy, apply ointments or any other drugs. Because it can cause eye infections and make it difficult to see a doctor.

Specifically, the initial treatment of eye injuries is as follows:
2.1 Handling when there is a foreign object in the eye When there is a foreign object in the eye, it should be noted not to rub the eye, do not use cotton or paper to remove the foreign object because it can cause eye infections and scratch the cornea and conjunctiva.
Use eye drops that have the effect of washing your eyes or physiological saline, or blink a few times to let the tears flow to push the foreign object out.
2.2 Treatment of corneal and conjunctival scratches Corneal and conjunctival scratches are a common injury, caused by scratches from nails, toys or plants. Superficial corneal abrasions may heal on their own. However, deep scratches can come with the risk of infection. Therefore, if the child is sensitive to light, has blurred vision, red swollen eyes, it is necessary to take the child immediately to a medical facility for examination.
2.3 Treating eye injuries from concussion Concussion trauma from punching agents, hard objects hitting the eye can cause swelling, bruising in the eye or eyelids.
Apply cold to the injured eye area to relieve pain and reduce edema. Absolutely do not press hard on the affected eye area, do not apply ice directly to the eye because it can make the injury serious. Use a cold pack or ice wrapped in a towel, apply for 15-20 minutes and repeat after 1-2 hours. Alternate cold and hot compresses every 48 hours.
2.4 Treatment of puncture wounds, bleeding When the eye has a deep puncture wound that bleeds, absolutely do not rub the eye and wash the eye with water or other solutions. Absolutely do not withdraw, remove the piercing object in the eye.

Instead, place cotton pads around the damaged eye and place a cup over the eye to protect the eye. Use a bandage or a clean towel to gently wrap the cup and around the head. Absolutely do not apply pressure and do not put pressure on the cup because it can cause eye injury and more bleeding.
Get the patient to the hospital as soon as possible, and do not use pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen as these increase the risk of bleeding.
2.5 Treatment of chemical burns If chemicals in the eyes cause burning, redness, pain, immediately wash eyes with clean water to remove chemicals. Rinse eyes continuously for 15-20 minutes.
If only one eye is injured, it is necessary to tilt the face to the side, so that the injured eye is located below the uninjured eye, so that when washing the chemical does not flow into the healthy eye. Then use clean water to wash your eyes. Do not rub your eyes, wear bandages, or use cups to cover your eyes. Take the patient to the emergency room and carry the bottle containing the chemical.
For cases of serious eye damage, or not knowing the cause and how to treat, should not interfere too much with the eyes. Place a sterile gauze pad over the eye and take the patient to a medical facility immediately.
In summary, eye trauma causes very complicated damage and leaves severe sequelae, high rate of blindness. Therefore, initial management is very important. However, if not handled properly, it can cause serious damage. Therefore, if you don't know the cause and are confused about how to handle it, take the patient to a medical facility immediately for timely treatment.
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