Children are very active, they love to play and explore the world around them. Which is a wonderful thing but can sometimes lead to accidents. Needless to say, unintentional and unforeseen eye injuries in children are a pretty common occurrence. For that reason, we are here to guide you in what to do in different situations and react promptly with first aid.
Table of Content:
3.1. Sports activities
3.2. Household accidents
3.3. Outdoor accidents
3.4. Improper use of toys
4.1. Dirt or sand
4.2. Dirty water
4.3. Foreign body
4.4. Penetrating injuries
4.6. Chemical injuries
4.7. Thermal burns
4.8. Electrical currents
Why Learning First Aid for Eye Injuries is So Important?
According to UAB Medicine, eye injuries are the leading cause of blindness in children. Resulting in approximately 100,000 doctor and emergency room visits each year. These high numbers may seem a bit scary, and that is yet another reason to learn basic first aid for eye injuries.
Learning prevention and first aid can help immensely if a child gets hurt. It is invaluable while waiting for an ambulance or on the way to see an eye doctor.
Let's not forget that some eye injuries can be serious and have the potential to cause permanent damage or even blindness. Providing proper first aid for eye injuries in children can help to reduce the severity of the injury and increase the chances of a full recovery of the injured child.
Here are the reasons and explanations why learning first aid for eye injuries is so important:
Time is critical. In some cases, immediate action can make a significant difference in the outcome of an eye injury. Knowing what to do and acting quickly can help to minimize the damage and prevent further injury.
Prevent infection. Eye injuries in children can easily become infected, which can lead to more serious health problems. Providing proper first aid can help to reduce the risk of infection and promote healing.
Reduce pain. Eye injuries can be incredibly painful and stressful to children, and providing appropriate first aid can help to relieve discomfort and reduce pain.
Protect vision. Eye injuries can have long-term effects on vision. Providing appropriate first aid is essential to protect the child's vision and minimize the risk of permanent damage or blindness.
Safety preparedness. Learning basic first aid for eye injuries is a critical part of being prepared for emergencies, whether they occur at home, in the workplace, or in public places. Knowing what to do in the event of an eye injury may also help to prevent panic and ensure a quick and appropriate response.
In short, learning first aid for eye injuries is crucial for protecting the eyes of a child and ensuring the best possible outcome in the event of an injury.
The Basics of Eye Injury Prevention Tips
Prevention is the key to reducing the incidence of eye injuries in children. Parents should take steps to ensure that their children:
Wear appropriate eye protection* when participating in high-risk activities
Keep certain sharp household items out of reach
Keep cleaning products, chemicals, and sprays out of reach
Buy age-appropriate toys** and avoid projectile toys
Put locks on the drawers and cabinets that toddlers/younger children are able to reach.
Educate little ones on the importance of eye safety
By taking these steps, parents can help keep their children's eyes healthy and safe. But even if all the boxes are ticked, accidents could happen, so knowing what to do in that situation is of utmost significance.
*Side Note 1:
Each year thousands of children sustain eye damage or even blindness from accidents at home, during playtime, or on the road. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Wearing protective eyewear can prevent more than 90% of all eye injuries in children.
**Side Note 2:
To avoid serious eye injuries in children, buy toys that meet the national safety standard in your country. These are the labels to look out for:
CE – European Union toys standard EN71
ASTM – American Society for Testing and Materials
CHPA – Canadian market toys standard
Common Causes of Eye Injuries in Children
There are many different types of eye injuries that can affect children. For instance, cuts or punctures, foreign bodies in the eye, corneal abrasions, and chemical burns. These injuries can occur from a variety of sources, including:
Sport activities
Household accidents
Outdoor accidents
Improper use of toys
Sport activities
Sports-related eye injuries are a common cause of eye injuries in youngsters. Children who participate in contact sports such as basketball, soccer, and hockey are at a higher risk for eye injuries, as are children who participate in high-risk activities such as paintball, airsoft, and archery.
Household accidents
Common sources of eye injuries in the home include cleaning products, tools, and even common household items such as rubber bands and paper clips.
Outdoor accidents
Getting sand or dirty water in one's eye(s) are some of the outdoor accidents that occur most frequently. Children may also be hit by flying objects such as balls, frisbees, or even rocks during playtime. In addition, falls can happen anytime, which also poses a risk of an eye injury.
Improper use of toys
Playtime accidents are also very common in children. Sharp-edged and hard toys could be a real hazard, especially in toddlers and younger children who do not comprehend the risks. Toys that shoot projectiles are also likely to cause serious eye injuries if mishandled.
If a child experiences an eye injury, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Delaying treatment can lead to serious complications and even vision loss.
Signs that a child may have an eye injury include pain, redness, swelling, or a change in vision.
First Aid Tips for Eye Injuries in Children
Eye injuries can happen quickly and unexpectedly, making it imperative for parents to know what to do in the event of an eye injury to their child.
Here are some first aid tips to follow for common eye injuries in children:
Dirt or sand in the eye
First Aid Tips:
Do NOT rub or touch the affected eye!
Rinse the eye thoroughly with water.
Encourage the child to blink rapidly to flush out any foreign objects in the eye.
If the child is still experiencing discomfort, seek medical attention from an eye care professional.
Small particles like dirt and sand could cause scratches on the cornea (corneal abrasions). Scratches on the cornea may lead to eye pain, redness, and even sensitivity to light. To treat a corneal abrasion, parents should encourage their child to blink rapidly and rinse the eye thoroughly with water to flush out any foreign objects in the eye. The eye should not be rubbed or touched, as this can cause more harm. If the child is still experiencing discomfort, parents should seek medical attention from an eye care professional.
Dirty water in the eye
First Aid Tips:
Do NOT rub or touch the affected eye!
Rinse the eye thoroughly with clean water.
If the child is experiencing pain, redness, or swelling in the affected eye, or if there is discharge or pus coming from the eye, seek medical attention from an eye care professional.
If a child's eye has come into contact with dirty water, such as contaminated pool water, pond water, muddy puddle water, or river water, it is crucial to take action to prevent infection. Make sure to start rinsing out the affected eye with saline solution or clean water immediately. Flushing the eye for at least 5-10 minutes in a steady stream is likely to remove dirt, debris, or contaminants from the eye and reduce the risk of infection.
Foreign body in the eye
First Aid Tips:
Do NOT touch the eye!
Do NOT try to remove the object by yourself!
Put a loose bandage on the eye.
Do NOT put pressure on the foreign body!
Seek medical attention from a trained eye care professional immediately.
While tiny particles can be washed out, this is not always the case with bigger foreign objects. In the case of a foreign body in the eye, parents should avoid attempting to remove the object themselves, as this can cause further damage to the eye. Ophthalmologists and ER Medical personnel can perform the needed intervention to remove the irritant and react accordingly in case of severe trauma and complications.
Penetrating injuries
First Aid Tips:
Do NOT touch the eye!
Do NOT try to remove the object by yourself!
Cover the eye with a loose bandage or clean cloth.
Do NOT put pressure on the foreign body!
Seek medical attention from a trained eye care professional immediately.
Mishandling sharp objects like sticks, pencils, or glass fragments are the main cause of serious penetrating injuries. Just like with other foreign bodies, never attempt to remove the object. Instead, immediately call an ambulance or rush to the ER to seek medical attention. In the meantime, cover the affected eye with a clean cloth or gauze to prevent further injury.
Blunt trauma from a hit in the eye
First Aid Tips:
Put an ice pack or cold compress on the eye.
Seek medical attention from an eye care professional, especially if symptoms worsen or you notice complications.
A hit in the eye with a ball, rock, or another object, as well as a physical hit with a fist or elbow, are the most common causes of blunt trauma in children. If a child has experienced a blow to the eye, immediately apply a cold compress or ice pack to the affected area for 15-20 minutes.
The ice pack should be wrapped in a towel or cloth to avoid direct contact with the skin. This can help reduce swelling and pain. If the child is experiencing blurred or double vision, severe pain, or has a laceration around the eye, parents should seek immediate medical attention.
Chemical exposure injuries
First Aid Tips:
Rinse the eye thoroughly with cool clean water.
Seek medical attention from an eye care professional.
If a child has come into contact with a chemical such as a bug spray, cleaning fluid, battery acid, or sunscreen, flush the affected eye with cool, clean water for at least 10-15 minutes. This helps rinse out the chemical and reduce the risk of further damage. Next, seek medical attention immediately, as chemical burns to the eye can cause serious damage and require specialized treatment.
Thermal burns
First Aid Tips:
Rinse the eye thoroughly with cool clean water.
Seek medical attention from an eye care professional.
Thermal burns to the eye in children can occur from exposure to heat or flames. In the event of a thermal burn, immediately flush the affected eye with cool clean water for 15 minutes or more. This can help reduce pain and may decrease the chance of further injury. The child should be taken to an emergency room or eye care professional for immediate treatment.
Exposure to electrical currents
First Aid Tips:
Seek medical attention from an eye care professional.
Electrical burns to the eye can occur from exposure to electrical currents. In the event of an electrical burn, there is not much to do at home. Instead, seek medical attention immediately, as this can cause serious damage to the eye and potentially lead to vision loss.
To sum up...
In all cases of eye injury, the parents, responsible adults, or grown-up children who are around at the time of the eye injury should seek emergency medical attention if the hurt child is experiencing severe pain, blurred vision, or if the eye is visibly burnt, bleeding, or swollen.
Eye injuries could be quite painful and irritating. But it is important to guide the child to resist the urge to touch or rub the eye, as this might aggravate the situation. Also, please do not apply lotions, ointments, or any medication to the eye without getting an examination and a doctor's approval first.
By following these first aid tips, you can minimize the damage caused by eye injuries and ensure the best possible outcome for the child's vision and eye health. For more information on eye care and eye health topics, check out the Ophthalmology24 blog for patients.
All medical facts were checked by Atanas Bogoev M.D.
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