Eye Emergencies
DefinitionEye emergencies include cuts, scratches, objects in the eye, burns, chemical exposure, and blunt injuries to the eye. Since the eye is easily damaged, any of these conditions can lead to vision loss if left untreated.
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Overview & Considerations
It is important to get medical attention for all significant eye injuries and problems. Many eye problems that are not due to injury (such as a painful red eye) still need urgent medical attention.
A chemical injury to the eye can be caused by a work-related accident or by common household products, such as cleaning solutions, garden chemicals, solvents, or many other types of chemicals. Fumes and aerosols can also cause chemical burns.
With acidic burns, the hazing of the cornea often clears with a good chance of recovery. However, alkaline substances -- such as lime, lye, commercial drain cleaners, and sodium hydroxide found in refrigeration equipment -- can cause permanent damage to the cornea. Ongoing damage may occur in spite of prompt treatment.
Dust, sand, and other debris can easily enter the eye. Persistent pain and redness indicate that professional treatment is needed. A foreign body may threaten your vision if the object enters the eye itself or damages the cornea or lens. Foreign bodies propelled at high speed by machining, grinding, or hammering metal on metal present the highest risk.
A black eye is usually caused by direct trauma to the eye or face. Certain types of skull fractures can result in bruising around the eyes, even in the absence of direct trauma to the eye. The bruise is caused by bleeding under the skin. The tissue surrounding the eye turns black and blue, then it gradually becomes purple, green, and yellow before the abnormal coloring disappears within 2 weeks. Usually, swelling of the eyelid and tissue around the eye also occurs.
Occasionally, serious damage to the eye itself occurs from the pressure of the swollen tissue. Bleeding inside the eye can reduce vision, cause glaucoma, or damage the cornea.
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