nvi-emergenciesTHE MATERIAL BELOW IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROPER MEDICAL CARE. IF YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY, SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY.

[17.1] What should I do in the case of an eye wound?

All eye injuries are potentially serious. Even superficial grazes cam lead to scarring of the surface of the eye (cornea) or infection with possible deterioration of eyesight amd even blindness.

Symptoms and Signs:

+ partial or total loss of vision of the affected eye, even with no visible injury.

+ pain, eyelid spasm and watering of the eye.

+loss of blood or clear fluid from the eye wound, possibly with flattening of the eyeball.

Aim: Protect the eye and seek medical aid.

Treatment:

1 Help the casualty into the most comfortable position. Support the head and advise the to keep as still as possible. DO NOT attempt to remove _embedded_ foreign bodies.

2 Ask the casualty to close the injured eye and gently cover it with an eye pad or a sterile unmedicated dressing. Secure the pad lightly in position with bandage or adhesive tape.

3 Advise the casualty to keep the sound eye still because movement will cause the injured eye to move.

4 Transfer to hospital by ambulance maintaining the treatment position.

[17.2] What should I do in case of chemical burns to the eye?

Corrosive chemicals, both liquid and solid can easily enter the eye and rapidly damage its surface causing severe scarring and even blindness.

Aim: Wash the chemicals away as quickly as possible and transfer to hospital.

Symptoms and Signs:

+ Intense pain in the affected eye.

+ Damaged cannot tolerate light.

+ Affected eye may be tightly closed.

+ The eye may be reddened, swollen or watering excessively.

Treatment: 1 Hold the affected side of the casualties face under gently running water for at least 10-15 minutes so that cold water drains away from the face. Alternatively let the casualty put the affect side of the face in a bowl of cold water and ask the casualty to blink.

NB check that both surfaces of the eyelids have been well irrigated. If the eye is shut in a spasm of pain, you may have to pull the lids firmly. but gently, open.

If this is not possible, sit or lay the casualty down with the head tilted back and turned towards the affected side. Protect the uninjured eye, gently pour sterile water or saline over it. If these solutions are not available, use a cup of tap water.

2 Lightly dress the eye with a sterile eye pad, or if this is not available, a pad of clean, non-fluffy material.

3 Transfer to hospital immediately.

[17.3] What should I do in the case of foreign bodies in the eye?

All eye injuries are potentially serious because particles may perforate the eyeball resulting in internal damage and possible infection. Particles of dust or grit or loose eyelashes are the most common foreign bodies found in the eyes. They stick to the outer surface of the eyeball or become lodged under the eyelid, normally the upper lid, causing considerable discomfort and inflammation. In most cases these can be removed. However DO NOT attempt to remove a foreign body if it is on the colored part of the eye, or embedded in the eyeball. In these cases seek medical aid immediately.

Symptoms and Signs:

+ Casualty’s eye is painful and itches.

+ Casualty’s vision may be impaired.

+ Watering of affected eye.

+ Casualty’s eye is red.

Aim: Remove particle gently. If unsuccessful, transfer the casualty to hospital.

NOTE: CONTACT LENSES

Many people now wear contact lenses instead of glasses and occasionally these cause extra problems in an an emergency. If conscious, help the casualty to remove them, and place them safely in their container and ensure they remain with the casualty. Never try to remove lenses from a casualty’s eye yourself. If a casualty is know to be wearing lenses, report this to the ambulance officer, nurse or doctor attending the incident.

Treatment:

1 Advise the casualty NOT to rub the eye (the casualty will almost certainly be doing so).

2 Ask the casualty to sit in a chair facing the light and lean back.

3 Stand behind the casualty. Hold the chin in one hand and use the index finger and the thumb of your other hand to separate the affected lids. Ask the casualty to look right, left up and down so that you can examine every part of the eye properly.

4 If you can see the foreign body try to wash it out with sterile saline solution. If this is not available, irrigate the eye with tap water. Incline the head towards the injured side so that the water will drain out over the cheek away from teh sound eye; pour water from a jug or place the casualties head under a tap.

5 If this is unsuccessful or no water is available and the foreign body is not sticking to the eye, lift the foreign body off using a moistened swab or the damp corner of a clean handkerchief.

6 If the foreign body is under the upper lid, ask the casualty to look down. Grasp the eyelashes and pull the upper lid downwards and outwards over the lower lid. If the lashes of the lower lid do not brush the foreign body off, get the casualty to blink under water in the hope that it will float off.

7 If you cannot remove the foreign body, cover the affected eye with an eye pad or a piece of gauze wrapped around a soft pad of cotton wool. Secure it lightly in place and seek medical aid.

If the foreign body is on the colored part of the eye or is embedded in or sticking to the eyeball DO NO ATTEMPT TO REMOVE IT. Cover it with an eye pad. Transfer to hospital for treatment.