Eye Injuries
When To See a Doctor
You have answered Yes to:
Do you have an object in your eye? Note: If the object hit your eye at a high speed or is a piece of metal, do not try to remove it.
See significance of an object in the eye if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Did an object hit the eye at high speed? Note: There is a high risk of serious injury to your eye. Even if symptoms appear minor, your eye should be checked by a doctor.
Yes Are you having trouble seeing things clearly?
Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Do you have a piece of metal on the surface of your eye?
Yes Do you have mild blurred vision that does not clear by blinking your eye?
Yes Is your eye still painful or scratchy after removing an object and using home treatment for 12 hours or longer? Note: Put on dark glasses. Do not bandage or put pressure on the eye. Do not use any nonprescription eyedrops in the eye.
Yes Are you unable to remove an object from the surface of the eye with home treatment measures?
Yes Have you had pain in or around the eye, tearing, and swelling for longer than 30 minutes?
Yes Do you have a feeling that something is in your eye (foreign body sensation) or a feeling of sand in your eye when you blink?
You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Have you had any pain, redness, swelling, sensitivity to light, or a change in vision for 24 hours or longer after removing an object from your eye?
Note: If you are not 100% better 24 hours after an object has been removed from your eye, see your doctor.
Yes Have you been unable to remove a contact lens for 24 hours?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: December 6, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Christopher J. Rudnisky, MD, FRCSC - Ophthalmology | |
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