Protecting Eyes Through Proper First Aid Response

Accidents that can happen in everyday life can cause serious problems in the eyes, our body's most sensitive area, leading to vision loss. When chemical substances come into contact with the eye, immediate intervention with copious amounts of water is required, whereas in cases of trauma caused by broken glass or metal fragments, healthcare professionals should be consulted quickly.

First Aid is Critical in These Injuries

Any eye injury or trauma must be taken seriously. Injuries that may occur in the delicate tissues around the eyes are situations that require special care. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Levent Akçay, who shares information about situations where immediate intervention upon initial occurrence is important, such as eye injuries and trauma, states: "Eye injuries and accidents are not frequent occurrences in our daily lives, but when they do happen, they can lead to serious consequences extending to permanent blindness. Impact-related injuries, burns, contact with chemical substances, and foreign objects remaining in the eye are among the most commonly encountered injuries. First aid administered following the trauma experienced can be life-saving. Points to be observed during first aid include monitoring and determining whether there is pain in the eye or eyelids, any visible injury or blood accumulation, vision loss, and fluid discharge from the eyes. However, it must be remembered that first aid is not medical treatment; for proper treatment, an eye health professional must definitely be consulted," he says.

Blindness May Result if Left Untreated

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Levent Akçay, stating that first aid interventions applicable in different eye injuries can be critical for preserving vision in some cases, says: "Among injuries occurring in the eyes, trauma resulting from impact is one of the most frequently encountered situations. In injuries caused by impact, considering the risk of infection, an eye physician must definitely be consulted at some point. In impact-related injuries, cold compress application is applied to the eye for 5-10 minutes. However, the ice should not come into direct contact with the skin. Instead, a cloth should be used between the ice and the eye, and an eye doctor should be consulted as soon as possible. In cuts caused by sharp objects, it is of great importance not to wash the eyes or eyelids and definitely not to remove any object that may have entered the eye. In such situations, patients should close the eye in a protective manner and cut contact with external factors, consulting an eye doctor as soon as possible. If chemical substances found in the home or workplace come into contact with the eye, patients must first remain calm and keep their eyes as open as possible. Closing the eyes will cause chemical contents to penetrate deeper into the eye. Washing the eyes with copious amounts of water for 15-20 minutes and keeping the eyes open during this time is of great importance. Afterwards, an eye doctor should be consulted quickly to bring the situation under control. Even if the entry hole is small, broken glass fragments, wire, or metal pieces entering the eye can carry germs into the eye, causing abscess formation and blindness. In such a situation, applying pressure to the eye can cause larger problems. Therefore, professional and emergency treatment will be the only solution," he says.