Join AARP
Get exclusive member benefits & effect social change. Join Today
Any kind of injury or trauma to the eyes should be taken seriously. Prompt medical attention for eye problems can save your vision and prevent further complications.
Chemicals common at home or in the workplace can easily get splashed into your eyes. It is important to wear safety glasses when handling toxic or abrasive chemicals and use caution with household cleaners in order to prevent injury.
First aid care for chemical burns includes:
You can also call your local poison control center for instructions. Be prepared to give information about the name and type of chemical, if possible.
The eye often cleans itself of debris with tearing, so no treatment is needed until you are certain the eye cannot remove the object by itself.
First aid care for foreign objects in the eyes includes:
If there is an object embedded in the eye, do NOT remove it, as this may cause further damage. Instead, cover the eye with an eye shield or gauze and seek prompt medical attention.
Impact to the eye is another form of eye trauma. Minor blows can often be managed at home. Any eye injury should be monitored for signs of a serious injury or potential infection.
First aid care for a blow to the eyes includes:
Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms:
You should seek immediate medical care if you suffer this type of injury. However, you need to follow some basic first aid steps to ensure proper safety and support.
Here are some first aid tips for treating cuts and puncture wounds:
Written by: Linda Hepler, RN
Medically reviewed
on: Dec 05, 2016: University of Illinois-Chicago, College of Medicine
![]() |
Enter your symptoms in our Symptom Checker to find out possible causes of your symptoms. Go.
|
![]() |
Enter any list of prescription drugs and see how they interact with each other and with other substances. Go.
|
![]() |
Enter its color and shape information, and this tool helps you identify it. Go.
|
![]() |
Find information on drug interactions, side effects, and more. Go.
|
The FDA issued an official warning regarding the E. coli risk associated with consuming raw cookie dough containing contaminated flour.