From sports to work activities, many circumstances can lead to eye injuries. While 90 percent of them are avoidable with proper eye protection, those that do occur may need immediate care. Should you or a loved one ever experience eye trauma, here’s what our specialists want you to know.
Can an Eye Injury Heal on its Own?
When in doubt, the best rule is to get checked by your ophthalmologist. Certain types of mild eye injuries may heal on their own, but all eye injuries should always be checked out by a doctor to rule out anything more serious. Without medical intervention, wounds to your eye area could lead to permanent vision loss. The trouble is that these conditions don’t always present severe symptoms until lasting damage may have already occurred.
So, what’s considered potentially serious when it comes to an eye injury? It never hurts to err on the side of caution and visit an eye care specialist any time you’ve been hit in the eye, but here are some times when you’ll definitely want to seek prompt medical care.
Some potential signs and symptoms of serious eye injury include blurred vision, double vision, loss of field of vision, pain, and bruising in and around the eye.
Steps to Take When You’ve Been Hit in the Eye
If there’s any chance your eye has been cut open, don’t apply any pressure. Tape a modified paper cup or a similar object over the eye to protect it and seek care immediately.
If the injury is milder, apply a cold compress gently to the area surrounding your eye to control pain and swelling. Use ice packs, as food items could introduce bacteria to the injured area. Avoid applying any direct pressure to the eye itself, as this could worsen the injury.
At even the slightest suspicion of something more serious than a light bruise or scratch, contact your eye doctor. Depending on the circumstances that led to you getting hurt and the symptoms you’re experiencing, they may advise you to come in right away or visit the emergency room. There, you’ll receive a diagnosis and can ensure you’re pursuing the right treatment to prevent complications.
Have an Eye Injury? Visit Eye Consultants of Atlanta
If you or a family member have an eye injury or any other eye issue, contact our office for further instructions on how best to seek treatment. Call (404) 351-2220 to speak with one of our team members, or request an appointment online for non-emergency concerns.