Eye Injuries

Black Eye

What is it?

Bruising caused by bleeding in the tiny blood vessels in the skin surrounding the eye.

Plan of Action:

Most injuries that cause a black eye aren't serious. But a black eye could be a sign of a more serious injury, such as an internal injury to the eye or a fracture of the thin bones around the eye. You may have a skull fracture if you have double vision, bruising around both eyes (raccoon eyes) or bleeding from the nose.

Corneal Abrasion (scratch on the eye)

What is it?

A superficial scratch on the clear, protective "window" at the front of the eye (cornea). 
The cornea can be scratched by contact with dust, dirt, sand, wood shavings, plant matter, metal particles, contact lenses or even the edge of a piece of paper.

Symptoms:

Plan of Action:

In case of a corneal abrasion, seek prompt medical attention. Left untreated, the abrasion could become infected and result in a sore known as a corneal ulcer.
In the meantime, take these immediate steps:
Use the following pointers to avoid making the injury worse:
Most corneal abrasions heal in a few days but should be treated with antibiotic drops or ointment to reduce the risk of infection.

Foreign Object in the Eye

What is it?

Anything that is in the eye that wouldn't normally be there.

Plan of Action:

To help yourself:
To help someone else:
Caution:

When to seek emergency care:

Keep in mind that sometimes an object can scratch your eye. This often feels as though the object is still in the eye even after the object has been removed. This sensation can sometimes take 24 hours to go away.