Did you know that everyday activities like housework, cooking, playing with your pet, or participating in sports can cause an eye injury? So how do you know if you may have a scratched eye? The most common symptoms are:
- A sensation that you have something stuck in your eye
- Tearing of the eye
- Eye pain
Eye scratches can be quite painful and, in some cases, require medical attention, especially if you have a corneal abrasion. But the good news is that minor scratches will typically heal on their own within a few days. Here is what you need to know about first aid for eye scratches.
Do’s and Don’ts of Eye First Aid
There are things you should and shouldn’t do if you scratch your eye:
- Rinse your eye with clean water or saline solution if you have available This could flush the foreign object from your eye.
- Blink your eye because it can help remove any dust or sand particles in your eye.
- Pull your upper eyelid over the lower eyelid because lower lashes could help remove anything that might be caught beneath the upper lid.
- Never rub your eye because you cam make the scratch worse.
- Never use your finger or other object like a cotton swab to try to remove a foreign object.
- Don’t wear your contact lenses until your eye has healed.
- Don’t use over-the-counter eye drops to relieve redness because they can make your scratch more painful.
When Should You See Medical Attention?
A corneal abrasion happens if the cornea is scratched or scraped. If it does not heal properly, it could permanently affect your vision. You should always seek emergency care if you think you have scratched your cornea or trauma has occurred to your eye if:
- You experience eye pain, a change in vision or increased sensitivity to light.
- You have a loss of vision.
- Your vision is blurry.
- You have a headache caused by your eye injury.
- There is foreign object stuck in your eye or eyelid.
- Your eye was hit with great force.
Immediate medical attention may be needed to save your vision. Do not wait if you cannot see an eye doctor immediately. Instead, seek treatment at your local emergency room and then follow up with your eye doctor at Valley Eyecare Center for an eye exam. Call (602) 955-2700 to schedule your appointment.
