Common Eye Injuries and How Optometrists Treat Them

Eye injuries can be devastating. They can stem from a workplace mishap, sports-related incident, or a home accident. So, it is crucial to understand the most common eye injuries and how optometrists handle them.

Corneal Abrasions

This injury stems from a scrape, scratch, or cut on the cornea's surface. Dust, sand, or even contact lenses are examples of foreign items that might contribute to it. When you sustain this injury, you can experience eye pain, redness, light sensitivity, or blurred vision.

Optometrists typically treat this eye injury with antibiotic eye drops to prevent infection. They also prescribe pain relievers to alleviate discomfort. Patients should avoid rubbing their eyes to prevent further damage.

Chemical Burns

Bleach, ammonia, or battery acid can cause chemical burns when they come into contact with your eyes. When they do, you may experience eye pain, tearing, redness, and blurred vision. 

Optometrists treat this injury by irrigating the eye with saline solution to flush out the chemical and prevent further damage. They may also prescribe antibiotic eye drops and pain relievers.

Foreign Objects

Foreign objects like metal or wood splinters can enter the eye and cause injury. Symptoms include eye pain, tearing, and redness. Optometrists may use a numbing eye drop to alleviate the pain and remove the foreign object with sterile instruments. Antibiotic eye drops will help prevent infection.

Eye Contusions

Eye contusions, or bruises, can occur from a blunt trauma from a sports injury, car accident, or any other type of accident. Eye pain, swelling, and discoloration are their symptoms. Optometrists may prescribe pain relievers and recommend ice packs to reduce swelling. Surgery can be necessary in severe cases to correct the damage.

Hyphema

Hyphema is a disorder that typically results from trauma and involves internal bleeding in the eye. Blurred vision, eye discomfort, and eye redness are its symptoms. Optometrists treat this injury by prescribing eye drops to reduce inflammation and pressure inside the eye. They also advise patients to rest and avoid activities that could cause further damage.

Orbital Fractures

One or more of the bones encircling the eye might break, causing an orbital fracture. Double vision, eye pain, and eye swelling are symptoms. Optometrists may send patients to a specialist, such as a plastic surgeon or ophthalmologist, for additional care. The eye doctor may recommend surgery to fix the fracture and avoid long-term problems.

Retinal Detachment

A detached retina is a severe eye injury. It occurs when the part of the eye responsible for vision, the retina, separates from the underlying tissue. Symptoms include sudden light flashes, floaters, and a curtain-like shadow over the vision. Optometrists refer retinal detachment patients to an ophthalmologist for urgent surgery. Delayed treatment can lead to irreversible vision loss.

Corneal Ulcers

Corneal ulcers are open sores on the cornea, usually caused by an infection. Eye discomfort, redness, and discharge are their symptoms. Optometrists use antibiotic eye drops or ointments to treat corneal ulcers and prevent infection from spreading. Surgery may be necessary in severe cases to correct the damage.

Conclusion

Eye injuries often require prompt treatment to prevent lasting complications. Optometrists can diagnose and treat eye injuries, from minor to more severe ones. Contact your eye doctor or head to the emergency room if you sustain an eye injury.

For more on common eye injuries, visit Ridgeview Eye Care at our Olathe, Kansas, office. Call or text (913) 270-8598 to schedule an appointment today.