How to recognise and manage an infant or child with an eye injury.

Any kind of injury or trauma to the eyes should be taken seriously. Prompt medical attention for eye problems can save your vision and prevent further complications.

Wet chemical

Chemicals common at home or in the workplace can easily get splashed into the eyes. It is important to wear safety glasses when handling toxic or abrasive chemicals and use caution with household cleaners in order to prevent injury, as well as to keep these away from babies and children.

First-aid care for chemical burns includes:

Keep the child calm and keep the eyes open until they can be flushed. Allowing the eyes to close traps the chemicals in and does further damage.
Flush the eyes generously with water for up to 20 minutes. Make sure you keep the child’s eyes open while flushing.
Get immediate medical care.

Dust or a foreign object

The eye often cleans itself of debris with tearing, so no treatment is needed until you are certain the eye cannot remove the dust or object by itself.

First-aid care for dust and foreign objects in the eyes includes:

Don’t allow a baby or child to rub their eyes.
Lift the upper eyelid up and out over the lower lid, and then try to have the child roll the eyes around.
Flush the eyes generously with water, and keep your eyes open during flushing.
Repeat the previous steps until the dust or object is eliminated.
Follow up with a doctor to make sure all debris is gone and the eyes have not been scratched or damaged. Your doctor may evaluate the child or baby for damage by using a special eye drop that fluoresces under a certain type of light; it will help reveal any cuts or scratches in the cornea.

If there is an object embedded in the eye, do not remove it, as this may cause further damage. Instead, cover both eyes with an eye pad or gauze and seek prompt medical attention.

Cuts or puncture wounds on the eye or lid

You should seek immediate medical care if your baby or child suffers from this type of injury. However, you need to follow some basic first-aid steps to ensure proper safety and support.

Here are some first-aid tips for treating cuts and puncture wounds:

Do not wash the eye or lid.
If there is an object embedded in the eye, do not remove it. Doing so can cause further damage.
Cover both eyes with an eye pad.
Seek prompt medical attention.

Blows to the eye

Impact on the eye is another form of eye trauma. Minor blows can often be managed at home. Any eye injury should be monitored for signs of a serious injury or potential infection.

First-aid care for a blow to the eyes includes:

Gently place a cold compress over your eye in 5- to 10-minute intervals. Do not place ice directly on the skin. Instead, use a cloth in between the ice and skin.
Call your doctor. They may want to examine the eye for potential damage. If the trauma was significant (for example, a skull fracture or displaced bones), you will need medical attention.
After 24 hours, switch to warm compresses. This will help lessen bruising.

Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms:

Drainage from the affected eye
Vision changes
Persistent pain
Any visible abnormalities or bleeding in the sclera, which is the white part of the eye

How to recognise and manage an infant or child with an eye injury.

Any kind of injury or trauma to the eyes should be taken seriously. Prompt medical attention for eye problems can save your vision and prevent further complications.

Wet chemical

Chemicals common at home or in the workplace can easily get splashed into the eyes. It is important to wear safety glasses when handling toxic or abrasive chemicals and use caution with household cleaners in order to prevent injury, as well as to keep these away from babies and children.

First-aid care for chemical burns includes:

Keep the child calm and keep the eyes open until they can be flushed. Allowing the eyes to close traps the chemicals in and does further damage.

Flush the eyes generously with water for up to 20 minutes. Make sure you keep the child’s eyes open while flushing.

Get immediate medical care.

Dust or a foreign object

The eye often cleans itself of debris with tearing, so no treatment is needed until you are certain the eye cannot remove the dust or object by itself.

First-aid care for dust and foreign objects in the eyes includes:

Don’t allow a baby or child to rub their eyes.

Lift the upper eyelid up and out over the lower lid, and then try to have the child roll the eyes around.

Flush the eyes generously with water, and keep your eyes open during flushing.

Repeat the previous steps until the dust or object is eliminated.

Follow up with a doctor to make sure all debris is gone and the eyes have not been scratched or damaged. Your doctor may evaluate the child or baby for damage by using a special eye drop that fluoresces under a certain type of light; it will help reveal any cuts or scratches in the cornea.

If there is an object embedded in the eye, do not remove it, as this may cause further damage. Instead, cover both eyes with an eye pad or gauze and seek prompt medical attention.

Cuts or puncture wounds on the eye or lid

You should seek immediate medical care if your baby or child suffers from this type of injury. However, you need to follow some basic first-aid steps to ensure proper safety and support.

Here are some first-aid tips for treating cuts and puncture wounds:

Do not wash the eye or lid.

If there is an object embedded in the eye, do not remove it. Doing so can cause further damage.

Cover both eyes with an eye pad.

Seek prompt medical attention.

Blows to the eye

Impact on the eye is another form of eye trauma. Minor blows can often be managed at home. Any eye injury should be monitored for signs of a serious injury or potential infection.

First-aid care for a blow to the eyes includes:

Gently place a cold compress over your eye in 5- to 10-minute intervals. Do not place ice directly on the skin. Instead, use a cloth in between the ice and skin.

Call your doctor. They may want to examine the eye for potential damage. If the trauma was significant (for example, a skull fracture or displaced bones), you will need medical attention.

After 24 hours, switch to warm compresses. This will help lessen bruising.

Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms:

Drainage from the affected eye

Vision changes

Persistent pain

Any visible abnormalities or bleeding in the sclera, which is the white part of the eye

How to Support a Child With an Eye Injury

Unii's Paediatric First Aid Journey shares how to treat eye injuries.