Eye injuries are always a concern for a first aider because the risk to a casualty’s vision is serious. So, as a first aider, your aim is to prevent the situation from worsening and making sure the casualty is safe and comfortable.
Possible Signs and Symptoms:
- Pain or discomfort in the eye
- Redness and/or watering of the eye
- Visible damage or bloodshot appearance
- Partial or full loss of vision
What to do?
- Do not allow the casualty to rub their eye as this could make it worse.
- Small particles may be washed away using a sterile eye wash or clean running water.
- Cover the eye with an eye pad or sterile dressing.
- Don’t remove anything that may be lodged as this may cause further damage.
- Tell the casualty to keep their uninjured eye closed to prevent movement of the injured eye.
- Reassure the casualty throughout whilst they are distressed.
- Take the casualty to the hospital or call 999 as appropriate depending on the severity of the injured eye.
- Chemicals in the eye should be flushed under running water for a minimum of 20 minutes.
