subject: Eye Injuries -what To Look Out For [print this page] Most eye injuries are preventableMost eye injuries are preventable. Our faces are designed to protect our eyes. There are many causes of eye injuries such as acid, rubbing your eyes, sunscreen, aerosol exposure, corneal abrasions, traumatic iritis, hyphemas, lacerations, and ultraviolet keratitis. Chemical exposures and burns can cause serious damage to the eyes and make the eye become swollen. Corneal abrasions are originated by being poked in the eye, which causes teary eyes and sensitivity to light. Traumatic iritis is formed by getting hit in the eye and it may cause deep pain in the eye. Hyphemas cause the eyes to become blurry and they occur from objects hitting you in the eye such as a baseball. Lacerations come from sharp objects and decrease vision. Ultraviolet keratitis is a result from sunburn and causes redness and pain in the eye.
A lot of times symptoms from eye injuries only stay present for a couple of days and then they are gone. If the symptoms still exist after a few days, medical help should be sought out. Eye injuries can cause permanent damage to the eye if they are not treated right way. Many people think that if they get a cut on the eye it is not a big deal; however, if it gets infected it can damage eyesight. Doctors use a special drop called fluorescein in the eye to check for injuries. Slit lamps are like microscopes that help eye doctors be able to see the damages more closely. X-rays are less likely to be used because most eye injuries do not require the use of one. Eye injury treatments vary depending on the intensity of the injury. Washing out the eye is common for chemical exposures and most other incidences. The biggest way to prevent getting eye injuries is to wear safety goggles when needed and not to rub your eyes.
