10 Top Common Causes of Eye Injuries

 

The 10 top common causes of eye injuries include corneal abrasions, bleeding in the eye, eye swelling, hit in the eye, eye burns from chemicals, foreign objects in the eye, radiation, thermal injury, eye strain and an allergic reaction in the eye. These causes of eye injuries and their definitions are listed below.

1. Corneal abrasions (eye scratches): Corneal abrasions are scratches on the eye and may be minor and heal on their own or more severe and require immediate assessment.
2. Bleeding in the Eye: Bleeding in the eye is most commonly caused by blood vessels in the eye becoming dilated due to trauma, making the eye's surface red.
3. Eye Swelling: Eye swelling is most commonly a symptom of other eye conditions and may be a result of an eye injury.
4. Hit in the eye: A hit or blow to the eye is a common type of eye injury and may damage the eye socket, the muscles and ligaments and the eyeball itself.
5. Eye burns from chemicals: Eye burns from chemicals is a serious condition that occurs when a powder or liquid chemical comes into contact with the eye.
6. Foreign objects in the eye: A foreign object in the eye is defined as something that is not supposed to be there, penetrating the eye.
7. Radiation: An eye injury caused by radiation can be categorised into four different types, ultraviolet radiation, ionizing radiation, visible radiation and infrared radiation.
8. Thermal injury: An eye or ocular thermal injury occurs when heat burns the eye leading to an eye injury.
9. Eye strain: Eyestrain is a common eye problem that occurs when the eyes concentrate on objects or tasks for a prolonged period of time.
10. Allergic reaction: Eye allergies are a reaction the body has towards certain substances that make direct contact with the eyes.
11. Corneal Abrasions (Eye Scratches) Corneal abrasions are scratches on the eye and are one of the most common eye conditions according to the National Library of Medicine. Corneal abrasions may be minor and heal on their own or more severe and require immediate assessment and treatment. Causes of corneal abrasions include trauma to the eye, contact lens use and small objects that get into the eye and scratch the cornea such as a grain of sand. A corneal abrasion may result in blurred vision if the cornea is scarred and infected.

Some of the symptoms that can result from a corneal abrasion include light sensitivity, pain, inflammation, blurry vision, redness, watery eyes and an increased rate of blinking. According to the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, a corneal abrasion may be treated with eye medication such as dilating drops used to decrease pain and antibiotic ointment or drops which help to stop infection. The pain may also be treated with eye patches or by wearing sunglasses outdoors. A corneal abrasion typically heals within 3-4 days according to the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital although you should seek medical attention if the abrasion does not go away, causes severe pain and discomfort or affects your vision.

2. Bleeding in the Eye Bleeding in the eye is most commonly caused by blood vessels in the eye becoming dilated due to trauma to the eye which makes the surface of the eye red. This is called a subconjunctival hemorrhage and may be caused by intense sneezing, vomiting, coughing and vigorous eye rubbing. According to the Mayo Clinic, when the eye is injured, blood vessels in the eye become dilated, bringing the blood and cells to repair and heal the injury. The main symptom of bleeding in the eye is the eyes appearing more red than normal. While this may look severe, it does not typically cause any vision changes or pain.

A subconjunctival hemorrhage may be soothed with eye drops if it is causing irritation but it typically goes away on its own. If it is a persisting issue or causes discomfort and issues, seek attention from a healthcare provider. Another eye condition that is known as bleeding in the eye is hyphema. Hyphema occurs due to blood pooling behind the cornea and the iris and is typically caused by something hitting the eye. It is different to a subconjunctival hemorrhage as, in hyphema, the blood pools in the anterior chamber. In contrast, a subconjunctival hemorrhage is a condition characterised by broken blood vessels below the ocular surface between the layers of the conjunctiva.

3. Eye Swelling Eye swelling is most commonly a symptom of eye conditions such as conjunctivitis, keratitis or blepharitis, though it may also be a result of an eye injury. Eye swelling is often caused by an infection and technically occurs as fluid builds in the tissues around the eye which causes the swelling. Some physical causes of eye swelling include trauma to the eye such as a hit or blow, excessive eye rubbing and crying. Some of the eye conditions whose symptoms involve eye swelling include a stye, chalazion, allergies, blepharitis, conjunctivitis and eye herpes.

Depending on the severity of eye swelling, this condition may cause problems with vision and can completely swell shut. If this happens it should be seen to by a medical professional. Eye swelling may affect the eyelid, eyeball and even the entire face. The treatment for eye swelling depends on the cause and should be recommended by a healthcare professional. Some treatments that may relieve the symptoms of eye swelling include a cold compress which may also reduce any pain. It is recommended to give the area a break from makeup or contact lens use to allow it to heal and reduce the swelling.

4. Hit in the Eye A hit or blow to the eye is a common type of eye injury. A hit in the eye can be a serious condition, and therefore, should be assessed by a healthcare professional. A blow or hit to the eye may damage the eye socket, the muscles and ligaments and the eyeball itself. A hit in the eye may be caused by a rock, fist or falling over. Common symptoms of a hit in the eye include bruising, swelling, changes in vision, numbness and red eyes. Blunt trauma to the eye in severe cases can cause a retinal detachment which requires urgent care as it is a very severe eye condition. Symptoms of a retinal detachment include the sudden appearance of eye floaters, blurred vision, flashes of light and a gradual diminishing of peripheral vision.

Treatment for a hit in the eye should be administered and recommended by a medical professional. Additional treatments to help ease the symptoms of a hit in the eye include using a cold compress to reduce swelling and discomfort and avoiding applying pressure to the area.

5. Eye Burns From Chemicals Eye burns from chemicals is a serious condition that should be seen to by medical personnel as soon as possible. In the meantime, it should be flushed with water until it can be treated. Chemical burns occur when a powder or liquid chemical comes into contact with the eye. These burns often occur in the workplace and can be due to acid or alkali. Acid is commonly found in car batteries whereas alkali is found in drain cleaners, bleach and cement. Chemical burns in the eye can also occur through rubbing the eyes after handling chemicals. Some of the complications associated with severe eye burns from chemicals include glaucoma, retinal damage, a corneal ulcer and cataracts.

According to Better Health, the symptoms of burns in the eye from chemicals include pain, stinging, a burning feeling, redness, swelling, and watery and blurry eyes. As mentioned, treatment for eye burns from chemicals should be administered by medical professionals and should be immediately flushed on incidence. To protect yourself against chemical burns in the eye, you should wear the appropriate safety gear when dealing with chemicals. These include safety goggles and face shields.

6. Foreign Object in the Eye A foreign object in the eye is defined as something that is not supposed to penetrate or adhere to the eye. This could include metal, dirt and glass. The foreign objects that enter the eye are called intraocular objects and should be assessed by a healthcare professional immediately. Foreign objects in the eye often occur in people who work with machines such as lawnmowers and drills. Dirt and other debris can enter the eye due to wind. In order to protect the eyes from foreign objects entering them, people should wear safety gear such as safety goggles and sunglasses.

The symptoms that occur if there is a foreign body in the eye include pain, pressure in the eye, a feeling of something being in the eye, watery eyes, excess blinking and red eyes. If there is a foreign object in the eye, you may try to tape an eye shield such as a paper cup, loosely over the affected eye. According to Better Health, you should not rub your eye or try to remove the object yourself but seek medical attention immediately. Any attempt to treat the injury yourself could result in further damage.

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7. Radiation An eye injury caused by radiation can be categorised into four different types. These include ultraviolet radiation, ionizing radiation, visible radiation and infrared radiation. Ultraviolet radiation is emitted from the sun and prolonged exposure can lead to eye conditions such as cataracts, pterygium, age-related macular degeneration and cancer. Symptoms of these eye conditions include blurry vision, vision loss and eye pain. Wearing sunglasses can protect your eyes from damage or injury caused by UV radiation. Photokeratitis, more colloquially known as "Welder's Flash", is a common condition also caused by UV light. It is typically caused by the arc from a welding torch, usually as a result of the welder not wearing appropriate eye protection.

Ionizing radiation comes from x-rays and may cause damage to the eye, especially the eyelids due to the thinness of the skin. Visible radiation includes lasers, and looking at intensely bright light. Finally, infrared radiation is rare and less likely to cause eye injuries but can be caused by the heat from glassblowers as looking at glowing iron or glasses for many hours a day can injure the eyes.

8. Thermal Injury An eye or ocular thermal injury occurs when heat burns the eye leading to an eye injury. A thermal injury often occurs on the eyelid rather than on the surface of the eye as the blink reflex may prevent direct contact with the eyeball. A thermal burn to the eye may be caused by fire, hot water, steam and hot oil. They can often occur in the kitchen when cooking with heat.

Symptoms of thermal burns may include pain, swelling, blisters and peeling skin. Thermal burns should be treated and assessed by a healthcare professional. They will clean the area and may prescribe an ointment to be applied to the burns, pain medication and antibiotics. How long a thermal injury lasts depends on how deep and severe the injury penetrates the skin's surface.

9. Eye Strain Eye strain is a common eye problem that occurs when the eyes concentrate on objects or tasks for a prolonged period of time. Eye strain or fatigue does not commonly pose a threat to eye health or overall health. The three main causes of eye strain include typing and writing, reading for an extended amount of time without eye rest and driving for long periods. The symptoms of eyestrain include trouble focusing, double or blurred vision, sore or irritated eyes and increased sensitivity to light.

Eye fatigue may be prevented by blinking often to moisten the eyes when concentrating on specific tasks and when working on a computer, enlarging the text on the screen to make it easier to read. Wearing glasses may also be used to correct refractive errors which may be underlying causes of eye fatigue and strain. Eyestrain can be managed and treated with various types of lifestyle changes and treatment methods, some of which include rest, taking breaks between intense concentration and using lubricating eye drops.

10. Allergic Reaction There are three main types of allergic reactions involving the eye, these are allergic conjunctivitis, perennial allergic conjunctivitis and seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. Eye allergies are a reaction the body has towards certain substances that make direct contact with the eyes.

An allergic reaction in the eye can be caused by certain allergens such as pollen, pet dander, dust and smoke. There are also genetic factors that can result in the eyes having an allergic reaction to certain climates. Symptoms of eye allergies include sneezing, swelling, red eyelids, itchy eyes and eyes that are constantly tearing or watering.

Eye allergy treatments involve a variety of medications, such as antihistamines, eye drops or allergy shots. These methods typically involve reducing or blocking the creation of histamines, or preventing the more uncomfortable symptoms of eye allergies. Eye allergies depend on the specific trigger of the allergy, therefore they can last all year long or only in certain seasons. For example, seasonal allergic conjunctivitis occurs due to high pollen which in Australia is typically in October and November.

What is an Eye Injury? An eye injury, according to the Cleveland Clinic, is a condition that afflicts the eye which may include scratches, bruises and punctures and may be the result of an accident, a physical altercation, being exposed to certain chemicals or caused by foreign objects in the eye. Eye injuries may lead to symptoms of swelling and pain and should be assessed and treated by a healthcare professional.

What are the Symptoms of an Eye Injury? There are many symptoms that can occur due to an eye injury depending on the cause, type and severity. There are, however, some symptoms that are common among eye injuries such as pain, swelling, redness and vision changes. These common symptoms of eye injuries and their definitions are listed below.

• Pain: Pain is a common symptom of an eye injury and can manifest as feeling painful and uncomfortable when you try to open or close the eye, may also be tender to the touch.
• Swelling: Eye swelling occurs as fluid builds in the tissues around the eye and can affect the eyelid, eyeball and even the whole face.
• Redness: Redness often occurs as a result of eye injuries as trauma to the eye causes the small blood vessels to come to the surface of the eye, causing the red appearance.
• Vision changes: An eye injury may cause vision changes such as blurred vision, eye floaters, light flashes and double vision.

How to Prevent Eye Injuries? There are many steps a person can take to protect themselves and potentially prevent eye injuries. Some of these actions include using safety eyewear, wearing sunglasses, storing chemicals properly and washing your hands after using chemicals. The ways to prevent eye injuries are listed below.

• Use safety eyewear: It is essential to use safety eyewear, such as safety glasses or goggles if you are working in an environment in which debris or other hazardous materials such as vapour and chemicals may touch the eye.
• Wear sunglasses: Wearing sunglasses when outside helps to protect the eyes and maintain eye health. UV rays from the sun are damaging to the eyes, therefore, wearing sunglasses helps to prevent eye injuries.
• Properly store chemicals: Chemicals should be properly stored and out of reach of children to prevent accidental eye injuries. Chemicals such as bleach, cleaners and detergents can be very harmful if they come into contact with the eyes.
• Wash your hands after using chemicals: You can cause a chemical burn in the eye if you rub your eyes after handling chemicals. Make sure to always wash your hands when using chemicals to prevent eye injuries.

What is the First Aid Treatment for Eye Injuries? The first aid treatment for eye injuries depends on the type of eye injury sustained. First aid is help given for injuries such as for the eye until full medical treatment is available. For example, if the injury is chemical burns in the eye, the response should be to flush the eye with water. If the eye injury is a foreign object in the eye, you may try to tape an eye shield such as a paper cup loosely over the affected eye to protect it.

What Indicates if an Eye Injury is Serious? Some of the signs that indicate if an eye injury is serious are bleeding, vision changes and severe pain. The specific eye injuries that are serious include eye burns from chemicals, a foreign object in the eye and thermal burns in the eye.

If an eye injury is serious, or causing you concern, see a medical professional for assessment and treatment.

Are There Any Long-Term Complications Associated with Eye Injuries? Yes, some eye injuries are associated with long-term complications. The long-term complications associated with eye injuries include vision loss, double vision, infection, corneal scarring and ulcers on the eye's surface. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, there are also certain eye conditions that may develop as a result of an eye injury or trauma, such as glaucoma, retinal detachment and cataracts.

Can Eye Injuries Heal on Their Own? Yes and no. The question of can eye injuries heal on their own depends on the type and severity of the eye injury. For small cuts and minor abrasions such as dust in the eye, this will typically get better on its own. But other injuries such as burns and foreign objects in the eye, are best treated by a doctor.

Do Eye Drops Help with Eye Injuries? Yes, in some cases, eye drops can be used to help with eye injuries. A corneal abrasion may be treated with eye drops to keep bacteria out of the eye by sealing it. A person with an injury from a foreign object in the eye may also be prescribed eye drops.

Can You Go Blind From Getting Hit in the Eye? Yes, certain eye injuries, including getting hit in the eye, may cause blindness, although it is not very common. Vision loss from an eye injury often occurs due to lack of treatment, therefore, vision may be saved through assessment and treatment provided by a healthcare or eyecare professional.

Is it Possible for Eye Injuries to Cause Colour Vision Deficiency? Yes, according to the National Eye Institute, it is possible for eye injuries to cause colour vision deficiency. Eye injuries may cause issues with the receptor cells in the retina