Who Needs Eye Trauma Treatment
A blunt force injury happens when something hits the eye or the area around it without breaking the skin. Common causes include sports balls, fists, falls, and car accidents. Even though the eye may look fine on the outside, a strong impact can cause damage inside the eye. This can include bleeding in the front chamber of the eye, which is called a hyphema. It can also cause the retina to tear or pull away from the back of the eye.
A fracture of the thin bones around the eye socket is another common result of blunt trauma. This is called an orbital blowout fracture. Signs include swelling, bruising, double vision, or a sunken appearance of the eye. Any blow to the eye that causes changes in vision, severe pain, or swelling should be seen by an eye care provider the same day.
Sharp objects such as knives, scissors, tools, or flying debris can cut or puncture the eye. A wound that goes through the wall of the eye is called an open globe injury. This is one of the most serious forms of eye trauma and needs emergency surgical repair. Signs of an open globe injury include visible damage to the eye surface, a change in pupil shape, or fluid leaking from the eye.
If you have a cut or puncture to the eye or eyelid, do not press on the eye or try to remove any object that is stuck in it. Place a rigid shield over the eye to protect it and seek care right away. Do not use aspirin or similar pain medicines, as they can increase bleeding.
Chemical burns happen when cleaning products, industrial chemicals, or other substances splash into the eye. Alkali chemicals, such as those found in drain cleaners and oven cleaners, are especially harmful because they can pass deep into the eye tissue. Acid burns tend to cause less deep damage, but they still need prompt care.
Thermal burns are caused by hot liquids, steam, or open flames. The eyelid blink reflex provides some protection, so most mild thermal burns heal with proper care. For any chemical or thermal burn, begin flushing the eye with clean water right away and continue flushing for at least 15 to 20 minutes while you seek medical attention.
Exposure to strong ultraviolet light can damage the surface of the eye. This is called photokeratitis. It is common in welders who work without proper eye shields and in people exposed to intense sunlight reflected off snow or water. Symptoms include sharp eye pain, light sensitivity, tearing, and a feeling that something is in the eye. These symptoms often appear several hours after the exposure.
Most radiation-related eye injuries heal on their own within one to three days with proper care. However, repeated exposure over time can cause lasting harm to the cornea and other parts of the eye. Wearing proper protective eyewear during welding and outdoor activities is the best way to prevent this type of injury.
How Eye Trauma Treatment Works
Many eye injuries affect the surface of the eye, including the cornea and the thin tissue that covers the white of the eye. Corneal abrasions, which are scratches on the clear front layer of the eye, are among the most common eye injuries. They are treated with medicated eye drops that prevent infection and promote healing. Most corneal abrasions heal within one to three days.
Small foreign objects on the surface of the eye, such as metal shavings or wood chips, can be removed by your provider using special tools under magnification. After removal, medicated drops and close follow-up ensure proper healing. If a foreign object has caused a deeper wound, further testing and treatment may be needed.
Injuries that affect the inside of the eye require careful monitoring and treatment. A hyphema, or bleeding in the front chamber of the eye, often clears on its own within five to six days. During this time, your provider may recommend rest, keeping your head elevated, and wearing an eye shield. Medicated eye drops can help reduce pain and swelling.
Retinal tears or detachments caused by trauma may need laser treatment or a freezing procedure called cryotherapy to seal the tear and prevent further damage. If the retina has already pulled away from the back of the eye, a surgical procedure may be needed to reattach it. Early detection and treatment of retinal problems gives the best chance of preserving your vision.
Open globe injuries and severe penetrating wounds require surgical repair. The goal of surgery is to close the wound, remove any foreign objects from inside the eye, and restore the structure of the eye as much as possible. In many cases, surgery is performed within 24 hours of the injury.
Some injuries may need more than one surgery over time. Our practice has fellowship-trained specialists who can manage complex eye trauma cases. After surgery, your provider will monitor your eye closely to watch for complications such as infection or increased eye pressure. The long-term outlook depends on the type and severity of the injury, the area of the eye that was affected, and how quickly treatment was started.
What to Expect After an Eye Injury
When you come to our office with an eye injury, our team will evaluate you based on the urgency of your condition. Your provider will check your vision, examine the surface and inside of your eye, and may use imaging tools to look for hidden damage. If a chemical was involved, flushing of the eye will begin right away or continue from any first aid you started at home.
Your provider will explain the findings and discuss the best course of treatment. For some injuries, treatment can begin during this first visit. For more complex cases, your provider may schedule surgery or refer you to a subspecialist within our team.
Recovery time varies based on the type and severity of your injury. Minor surface injuries like corneal abrasions often heal within a few days. Internal injuries such as hyphema may take about a week to improve. More serious injuries, including open globe repairs and retinal detachments, can take weeks to months to fully heal.
During recovery, your provider may ask you to use medicated eye drops, avoid heavy lifting, and protect your eye with a shield. It is important to follow all instructions carefully, as proper care during the healing period can make a meaningful difference in your final outcome.
Follow-up visits are a key part of your recovery. Your provider will check how your eye is healing, look for signs of complications, and adjust your treatment plan as needed. For minor injuries, one or two follow-up visits may be enough. For more serious trauma, you may need regular check-ups over several months.
Some complications from eye trauma, such as increased eye pressure or delayed retinal problems, can develop weeks or months after the initial injury. Attending all scheduled appointments helps your provider catch these issues early and act before they affect your vision.
Your Journey Through Eye Trauma Care
If you experience an eye injury, take action right away. For chemical exposures, begin flushing your eye with water and continue while you travel to our office. For cuts or objects stuck in the eye, cover the eye with a rigid shield and avoid touching it. Call our office so we can prepare for your arrival. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2023, workers suffered 18,510 eye-related injuries and illnesses requiring time away from work in 2020. Proper protective eyewear at work and at home can prevent most of these injuries.
We have locations in Greenbelt, Rockville, and Cumberland. Contact the one nearest you for the fastest care.
Our team will perform a thorough exam to determine the type and extent of your injury. This may include visual acuity testing, slit lamp examination, and imaging of the inside of the eye. The results help your provider develop a treatment plan specific to your injury.
If your injury requires urgent surgical care, our team can coordinate that quickly. Our fellowship-trained specialists cover several areas of eye care, so you can receive the right treatment without delays.
Treatment begins as soon as a plan is in place. For surface injuries, this may be as simple as medicated drops and a follow-up appointment. For internal injuries or trauma requiring surgery, your provider will walk you through every step of the process. We stay involved throughout your recovery to monitor healing and address any changes.
Our goal is to help your eye heal as well as possible and to protect your vision over the long term. Every treatment plan is tailored to your specific injury and needs.
Questions and Answers
Any injury that causes sudden vision loss, severe pain, visible damage to the eye, or involves a sharp or embedded object should be treated as an emergency. Chemical splashes, blunt force impacts that change your vision, and any wound that breaks the surface of the eye also need urgent care. When in doubt, contact our office for guidance.
Yes. What seems like a small scratch or minor blow can sometimes cause problems that develop days or weeks later. For example, a mild impact can lead to a retinal tear that worsens into a detachment. A small corneal scratch can become infected if not treated. It is best to have any eye injury checked by a professional, even if it seems minor at first.
Recovery depends on the type of injury. A corneal abrasion may heal in one to three days. A hyphema from blunt trauma typically clears in about a week. More serious injuries, such as retinal detachments or open globe repairs, may take weeks to months. Your provider will give you a specific timeline based on your condition.
Do not rub your eye, as this can make the injury worse. Do not try to remove objects that are stuck in the eye. Avoid applying pressure to the eye. Do not use aspirin or similar medicines that thin the blood, as they can increase bleeding. If a chemical is involved, do not try to neutralize it. Instead, flush with water and seek care right away.
Not all eye injuries need surgery. Many surface injuries and mild internal injuries can be treated with medication and monitoring. However, open globe injuries, certain retinal detachments, and some orbital fractures may require surgical repair. Your provider will explain whether surgery is needed based on the type and severity of your injury.
Wearing protective eyewear is the most effective step you can take. Use safety glasses or goggles during home projects, yard work, and sports. In the workplace, follow all safety guidelines for eye protection. Store household chemicals safely and keep them away from children. Wearing sunglasses with UV protection can guard against radiation-related injuries from the sun.