Pain, bleeding and swelling of the eye are all reasons to
seek medical attention. A puncture wound, a severe blow, a sharp foreign body in the eye,
laceration of the eyelid or chemical burn are all reasons to seek immediate medical
care.
The outlook on recovery from eye injuries is good: one in
five patients with a ruptured eye globe, a serious injury, may continue to have excellent
vision and no apparent signs of perforation.
To avoid injury, practice good eye safety. Many eye
injuries result from car accidents. Play it smart:
- seatbelts and airbags greatly reduce the risk of eye injury
in vehicle accidents;
- wear protective eye wear when playing sports or taking care
of household chores, such as mowing the lawn;
- wear industrial goggles with side shields for tasks that
put eyes at risk from metal, glass or wood fragments and chemicals--they are essential!
With some types of injuries, squeezing or rubbing the eye
can do serious damage. Taking the patient to an emergency department or
opthamologist’s office is the safest option.
Should you injure your eye, Health Alliance emergency
departments can help you. No matter what part of town you live in, The Christ Hospital,
The University Hospital, The St. Luke Hospitals and The Jewish Hospital are nearby and
ready to care for you
