{"id":16976,"date":"2021-09-02T19:16:48","date_gmt":"2021-09-02T19:16:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/?page_id=16976"},"modified":"2021-09-02T19:16:48","modified_gmt":"2021-09-02T19:16:48","slug":"6-most-frequent-eye-injuries","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.optometrists.org\/general-practice-optometry\/guide-to-eye-exams\/eye-emergencies\/6-most-frequent-eye-injuries\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Most Frequent Eye Injuries"},"content":{"rendered":"

The main concern with any eye injury is whether the person\u2019s vision has been permanently, or even temporarily, damaged.<\/b><\/h2>\n

Note: This information does not replace an eye exam from a doctor. For any eye injury, we recommend contacting the nearest eye doctor or ER department.<\/i><\/p>\n

Eye Injuries<\/b><\/h2>\n

The American Academy of Ophthalmology reports that over 2.5 million eye injuries occur every year, globally. Of these eye injuries, 90% could have been prevented with protective eyewear.<\/p>\n

Eye injuries can occur from a wide range of activities, including playing with your pet, cleaning the house or just on the sports field, and lead to many different types of emergencies.<\/p>\n

The only way to identify any vision loss or eye damage from an eye injury is through an eye examination.<\/b><\/p>\n

Eye injuries can\u2019t always be prevented, but wearing eye protection while engaging in certain activities, such as mowing the lawn, cutting wood and playing sports can help to protect the eyes from damage.<\/p>\n

Below are the 6 most frequent causes of eye injuries:<\/p>\n

1. Cut or scratch on the eyelid\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

If you have children or own a pet, you may be familiar with the grabbing or clawing they are capable of!<\/p>\n

Babies and toddlers are constantly seeking to touch, grab, and explore the faces of the people they love most. Pets are also capable of scratching their beloved owners when they are held and cuddled close to the face. In these situations, our reflexes cause us to shut our eyes quickly to protect ourselves from injury.<\/p>\n

While this important reflex protects our sensitive eyes, it also puts our eyelids at risk and can result in a cut or scratch on the eyelid.<\/p>\n

Small cuts can heal with topical medication, but deep cuts or ones that go through the edge of the eyelid require immediate medical attention.<\/p>\n

2. Bruise of the eyelids<\/b><\/h2>\n

A bruise on the eyelid is most often called a “black eye”.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

This can result from blunt force trauma to the eye, like getting punched in the eye or hit by a ball during a sports activity.<\/p>\n

The swelling and dark bruising from a black eye usually gets worse before it gets better.<\/p>\n

After a few days, the black color will slowly turn purple and green until it loses its color altogether, this generally takes around 2 to 3 weeks.<\/p>\n

3. Subconjunctival hemorrhage<\/b><\/h2>\n

A subconjunctival hemorrhage is a flame-shaped bleeding of the white part (sclera) of the eyeball. It is most often caused by a scratch to the sclera and gives the eye a bright red appearance.<\/p>\n

The sclera usually heals on its own within 2 to 3 weeks.<\/p>\n

If you have sustained an eye injury, head to the nearest emergency room for initial emergency treatment.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

In the event you cannot reach an emergency room,<\/b> contact an eye doctor near you<\/a>.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

SEE RELATED: <\/b>First Aid for Eye Injuries<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t

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