Eye Injury
Posted by: Invision Optometry in Category Eye Health
When an eye injury occurs, it’s important to be examined as soon as possible. A serious eye injury is not always immediately obvious. As a result, some individuals may delay getting medical attention. What may seem minor at first, can become more intense over time. Eye injuries can range from very minor, such as getting soap in your eye, to catastrophic, resulting in permanent loss of vision. They can occur at home, work, or while participating in sports. A deep puncture wound from an accident, for instance, requires immediate treatment to prevent eye damage.
Eye Injuries Can Happen At Anytime…
How to Recognize An Eye Injury
Whether you are playing action packed sports or just cleaning around the house, eye injuries can happen at anytime, anywhere, to anyone. It is essential to treat any injury to the eye as significant. Eye injury symptoms include irritation; pain, redness, decreased clarity of vision, light sensitivity, blurry vision, watery discharge, and/or a feeling that something is stuck in your eye. No matter what type of injury you have, do not attempt to treat it yourself!
Seek Medical Attention Right Away, IF:
- You have obvious pain or trouble seeing
- You have a cut or torn eyelid
- One eye does not move as well as the other
- One eye sticks out more when compared to the other
- The eye has an unusual pupil size or shape
- There is blood in the clear part of the eye
- You have something in your eye that cannot be easily removed
Types of Eye Injuries
The ability to see can easily be taken for granted. Each day someone suffers from an eye injury that requires medical treatment. Fortunately, most eye injuries do not lead to permanent damage. Eye injuries can be very painful and can significantly affect your ability to function. There are several common causes of eye injury, listed below are just a few different types and causes.
Lacerations & Abrasions (Scratched Eye): lacerations (cuts) and abrasions (scratches) can affect the front sections of the eye, including the cornea, conjunctiva and sclera, as well as the eyelids.
- This can occur for a variety of reasons including a blow to the eye (being hit by a flying object), sand or dust in windy environments, and contact lens wear
- You may experience severe pain, watering of the eye, or light sensitivity
Foreign Bodies: a foreign body is any object that becomes stuck in the eye. In mild cases, it is something caught between one of the eyelids or on the front surface of the eye. In severe cases, it can be something that has penetrated the eye.
- Can be as mild as a spec of dirt,or as serious as a piece of shattered glass stuck in the eye
- Detached eyelashes
- Displaced or torn contact lenses
- Dust, pollen, and other matter circulating in the air
- Metal from welding
- Metal or a fishhook that penetrates the eye
Blunt Injuries (Blunt Force Trauma): a blunt impact to the eye, such as a blow, or being hit by an object such as a baseball, can cause a range of eye injuries. Significant blunt force trauma to the eye and face can result in a hyphema, orbital blowouts, and retinal detachment.
- Orbital blowout occurs when the ridge of the eye sockets or eyeball are struck by an object causing a fracture to the area in which the eye muscles attach (considered a serious eye injury)
- Hyphema is a collection of blood in the anterior chamber of the eye caused by blunt trauma (considered a serious eye injury)
- Retinal detachment occurs from a blow to the eye or surrounding soft tissue, the force of which, can cause detachment of the retina (considered a serious eye injury)
- Eye Emergencies any eye injury caused by significant blunt force trauma is considered an emergency
Traumatic Iritis: is inflammation of the colored part of the eye that surrounds the pupil and occurs after an eye injury.
- It can be caused by a poke or blow to the eye
- Traumatic iritis usually requires treatment
Health Insurance vs. Vision Insurance…
Health Insurance, Will It Cover An Eye Injury?
Serious eye problems, including physical injury to the eye, will typically be covered under your health insurance plan. While each health insurance plan is different, it usually covers eye care in relation to a medical condition. The difference between vision insurance and health insurance is that health insurance generally covers only eye care related to a medical condition. For instance, if you need an eye exam because of cataracts, dry eyes, complications from diabetes, or in relation to diagnosed high blood pressure, then your health insurance will usually cover the eye care. You don’t need vision insurance for this coverage. Most routine vision plans cover a basic wellness exam. In some cases, you may be able to use your health insurance to cover your medical eye condition or eye care needs and then use your vision insurance to cover your glasses or contact lenses. In addition to covering eye care for medical conditions, your health insurance will typically cover care if you experience an eye injury or develop an eye disease.
Do Not Attempt To Treat A Serious Eye Injury Yourself…
Eye Emergencies
If you experience an eye injury, it is important to see an eye care provider as soon as possible. We are always willing to help, should you ever experience an eye emergency. Our office provides emergency services for eye infections, eye injuries, and other eye urgencies.
If You Experience An Eye Injury, It Is Important To See An Eye Care Provider As Soon As Possible…
Emergency Eye Care
In the event of an eye injury or other eye emergency, please contact Invision Optometry immediately at 619.222.2020. If your eye injury or emergency is after hours and you are unable to reach us, please seek help at your nearest hospital, emergency room, or by calling 911. Seek emergency care if you believe your eyesight is in jeopardy or if you are in severe pain.
