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	First Aid

Eye Emergencies

Important!

Call 911 or your emergency number if:

You suspect a head injury.
An object is embedded in the eye.
A chemical was spilled in the eye.

Blunt injury to the eye may break small blood vessels under the conjunctiva (the clear membrane that covers the eye), creating red areas on the white of the eye. Such bleeding is usually minor and does not require emergency care; instead, call the victim's doctor for advice. However, if there's a pool of blood collecting in the eye or if you aren't sure whether the victim needs emergency care, play it safe: Cover both eyes with a clean cloth and take the victim to the nearest hospital.

If there is bleeding from inside the eye, elevate the victim's head above his heart, cover both eyes with a clean cloth and take the victim to the nearest hospital. CAUTION: If you suspect a head, neck or back injury, do not reposition or move the victim. Call 911 or your emergency number.

Symptoms

	Cut or bruise on eye
	Pain in or around eye
	Bloodshot eye
	Dry or itchy eye
	Tears
	Rapid blinking
	Inability to keep eye open
	Sensitivity to light
	Impaired vision
	Headache
	Unequally sized pupils

First Aid for Foreign Objects in the Eye
CAUTION: Do not touch or attempt to remove anything embedded in the eye. Call 911 or your emergency number. If the embedded object is large, such as a pen, place a paper cup over the eye so that it supports the object; you may need to punch a hole in the cup. Tape the cup in place. Cover the victim's other eye with a clean cloth to help keep the injured eye from moving. If the object is small, cover both eyes with a clean cloth and loosely tie it in place.

Wash your hands with soap and water.
Look for the object. Ask the victim to slowly roll his eyes as you do this. CAUTION: Do not let the victim rub his eye.
If you see the object, gently pull the upper eyelid down over the lower eyelid. This will cause tears, which may wash the object out.
If the object does not wash out, consider trying to remove it. However, if there is any question that the object may be embedded or that you will not be able to remove it easily, it's best to go to the nearest emergency room for help.
Remove a visible object from the surface of the eye. If the object does not wash out with tears, flush it out with running water or lift it off with a clean, damp cloth. Alternatively, the victim can open his eyes underwater in a bowl of fresh tap water. Once the object is out, the victim should take out any contact lenses. CAUTION: Do not use tissue or cotton to lift off the object. Do not lift off an object that is on the victim's iris or pupil.
Remove an object from the lower eyelid. If you see the object on the lower eyelid, flush it out with water or lift it off with a clean, damp cloth. Once the object is out, the victim should take out any contact lenses.
Illustration: Object on the Lower Eyelid
Remove an object off the upper eyelid. If you do not see the object on the eye or inside the lower eyelid, lift the victim's upper eyelid. If you see the object on the upper eyelid, flush it out with water or lift it off with a clean, damp cloth. Once the object is out of the eye, flip the upper eyelid back into place. The victim should now take out any contact lenses. CAUTION: Do not use tissue or cotton to lift off the object.
Illustration: Object on the Upper Eyelid
If necessary, cover both eyes and get medical help. If you cannot find or remove the object, or if the victim is in pain or has difficulty seeing after you've removed the object, cover both eyes with a clean cloth and tie it in place. Take the victim to the nearest hospital.
Illustration: Covering the Eyes

First Aid for Chemical in the Eye

CAUTION: Immediately begin flushing the eye, making sure that water is getting underneath both eyelids. Do not put anything other than water in the eye. Do not let the victim rub his eye.

Flush the eye with water. If you cannot get the victim to a faucet, keep flushing the eye with glasses of water for 15 minutes, making sure that the water flows across the eye away from the inner corner. You can also use a hose or shower set at low pressure.
Illustration: Flushing the Eyes
Ask the victim to remove his or her contact lenses, if the person is wearing any.
Cover the eye. After flushing the eye, cover it with a clean cotton cloth. Then tie a bandage over both eyes. This will help inhibit movement of the affected eye.
Identify, if you can, the chemical that entered the eye. At a minimum, be prepared to tell emergency medical personnel whether the chemical was wet or dry.

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