A quick guide on what to do to treat an eye injury at work or home.

More than 50,000 Australians sought eye injury medical care and treatment over the past few years. Open eye wounds made up 27% of hospitalisations in Australia over the same time period.

Eye injuries are common at home and a common workplace injury. So, knowing first aid for an eye injury is important.

Construction workers and other jobs involving chemical exposures, handling hazardous chemicals, lasers and potential irritants have a higher risk injury to the eye and body. If you work in an area the involves potential risk, be prepared with an Eye Wash Station from First Aid Kits Australia and take preventive measures with PPE equipment such as Protective Goggles.

Eye Injuries can also easily occur at home, while gardening, cooking, cleaning, and doing other recreational activities such as playing sports with the kids. If you have an active household, be prepared for any corneal abrasions and impairments with a Modular Eye Kit.

The eye is easily injured, and any eye injury or resulting infection can cause vision impairment or blindness. Here some are First Aid Tips on how to approach Eye Injuries:

NOTE:

• Always rest and reassure the person first

• Do not allow them to rub the eye

• Do not attempt to remove contact lenses

Types of eye injuries

• Foreign Objects causing Corneal Abrasions (scratching the eye surface)

The Most Common Eye Injury results from rubbing your eye after loose dirt or debris, sawdust or shards of metal embedded in the eyes surface, causing irritation, tearing, swelling and redness. Contact lenses can also cause eye injuries or scratch the cornea when they stay in too long or are mishandled.

• Chemical Burns (Caustic Foreign Substance)

A sudden chemical spray into the eye can be shocking. Some substances can sting, but be harmless, while others can cause severe ocular impairment. Note the different chemical types and their causes:

Acid: causes considerable redness and burning, but can be flushed out easily.

Alkali (basic PH chemicals): More severe damage can occur, though often unrecognised as symptoms are postponed. These chemicals can be found in oven and toilet cleaners and even chalk dust.

• Bruised Eye & Eye Swelling (Traumatic Iritis)

An impact on the eye and its surrounding tissue can cause bruising and swelling of the eye. In this case, there is a chance that the eyelid may also be cut, and the swelling will impair vision.

• Subconjunctival Haemorrhage (Eye Bleeding)

Subconjunctival Haemorrhages are quite common and can occur as a result of another minor eye injury. The symptoms can appear as a small redness, or make the white sclera appear inflamed and irritated. This injury is painless and should not impair vision.

No treatment is required, as it should clear over the following weeks.

If your eye appears to be bleeding with symptoms of pain and vision loss, this is not a Subconjunctival Haemorrhage and you should seek medical attention immediately.

Treatment

The most effective treatment for eye Injuries is to flush out the debris with First Aid Kits Australia’s Eye Wash Station.

1. If the injury appears on the white of the eye only, encourage them to blink to try to flush the eye or wipe gently across the eye with a wet cloth or tissue, swiping from the inside corner closest to the nose to the outer corner.

   Flush the eye with sterile saline or use your Eyewash Unit or Eyewash Station, or clean running water for 15 minutes.

   If unsuccessful, cover with sterile dressing without applying pressure and seek medical help. This includes of the eye remains inflamed and vision is blurry.

For Bruised Eye & Eye Swelling (Traumatic Iritis)

1. Apply ice for up to 20 mins

2. Cover with sterile dressing without applying pressure to the eye

3. Seek medical attention immediately

If object is embedded:

1. DO NOT remove the object!

2. Call an ambulance

3. If possible, apply padding around the object to secure

4. Keep the person warm, calm and still

Some high risk workplaces should have emergency showers and eyewash stations close to the risk areas.

Visit us at https://firstaidkitsaustralia.com.au/ we have a huge range of first aid products for eye injuries to help you to be prepared for an accident at work or at your home.

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