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Writer's pictureMaria Cholakova

Eye Injuries in Children [First Aid Tips]

Updated: Sep 22

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. Unintentional and unforeseen eye injuries in children are a pretty common occurrence. We are here to guide you in what to do in these situations and act promptly with first aid.


Table of Contents:


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 some eye injuries can be serious. They have the potential to cause permanent damage or even blindness. Providing proper first aid for eye injuries in children can reduce the severity of the injury and increase the chances of a full recovery of the injured child.


Learning first aid for eye injuries summarized in an infographic

Here are the reasons and explanations why learning first aid for eye injuries is so important:


  1. 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 minimize the damage and prevent further issues.

  2. Prevent infection. Eye injuries in children can easily become infected, which may lead to more serious health problems. First aid reduces the risk of infection and promotes healing.

  3. Reduce pain. Injuries to the eye can be painful and stressful to children. Providing first aid can relieve discomfort and reduce pain to some extent.

  4. Protect vision. Eye injuries in children can have long-term effects on vision. Knowing adequate first aid can protect the child's vision and minimize the risk of permanent damage.

  5. Safety preparedness. Learning basic first aid for eye injuries in children is a critical part of being prepared for emergencies, whether they occur at home, in the workplace, or in public places. Taking action after an eye injury may also prevent panic and ensure a quick and appropriate response.


In short, learning first aid for eye injuries in children 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 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


*Every 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.


**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


By taking these steps, parents can 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.


Children Eye Injury Prevention Tips Infographics

Common Causes of Eye Injuries in Children


Many different types of eye injuries 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 injuries are a common cause of eye injuries in children. Those 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 causes of eye injuries in children at home include cleaning products and tools. Even common household items such as rubber bands and paper clips can penetrate a child's eye from unsafe handling.


Outdoor accidents


Getting sand or dirty water in one's eye is one 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 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 shooting 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.


Eye injury causes

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 doctor.


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 help 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.


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, take immediate 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 medical 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. 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 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 help.


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 in children, 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 can 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 don't 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.


✅ Medically reviewed

Checked by Atanas Bogoev, MD.

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