School is out for summer and children will be enjoying all their vacation has to offer. Warm weather sports and activities can sometimes lead to an eye injury. While we never want an accident to happen, it's important to know what to do when one occurs.
To lessen the risk of permanent damage, it is important to treat eye injuries immediately. Seek medical attention as soon as possible. If you are unable to visit your primary care provider or your ophthalmologist, Siloam Springs Regional Hospital's Emergency Department is available 24 hours, seven days a week to provide care for you and your family.
Tips for cuts in or around the eye
Slips, trips and stumbles happen when families are outside enjoying the long summer days. For a cut around the eye or in the eye here are a few first-aid tips:
• Gently bandage the eye.
• Do not rinse the eye, do not rub the eye or apply any pressure.
• Do not try to remove any particles.
• Avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen or other nonsteroid anti-inflammatories as they may increase bleeding.
When foreign particles enter the eye
Sand and dirt are common culprits when families are visiting the lake, creek or even just playing in the sandbox at home. If something gets in your eye, you can start with these first-aid tips before seeing your healthcare provider:
• Pull the upper lid down onto the lower lid and let lower eyelashes sweep away the particle by blinking repeatedly.
• Let tears wash out the speck or particle.
• Close your eye and seek medical attention immediately if the above procedure does not work.
• Do not rub the eye.
Chemical splashes
Cleaning out the garage, painting the house, making home improvements or even that first summer job can put many people in contact with chemicals. If a chemical gets in your eye, follow these instructions before heading to the emergency room:
• Use fingers to separate the eyelids, then flush the eye with water from a faucet or clean container.
• Seek medical attention immediately.
• Cover the eye.
Treatment for a black eye
That pickup game of baseball, softball, basketball or soccer could result in a black eye. However, most black eyes heal completely and don't cause any damage to the eye. Treatment may include:
• Apply cold compresses to the eye for the first 24 hours.
• After the first 24 hours, apply warm compresses to the eye.
• Continue using compresses until the swelling stops.
• Keep the head elevated to help decrease the amount of swelling.
It's important to know the swelling and bruise may appear to spread and go down the cheek or to the other eye. This is normal. Consult your primary care provider if the bruising and swelling doesn't resolve on its own. They may recommend a visit to an ophthalmologist to evaluate the eye if your provider believes it may be injured.
Other physical trauma to the eye
• Gently apply small cold compresses without pressure immediately to reduce pain and swelling.
• Contact an ophthalmologist, healthcare provider or go to the emergency room immediately.
General News on 06/28/2015