The most current information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that 18,510 workers suffered some type of eye injury or illness in 2020 alone. Along with on-the-job accidents, other common causes of eye injuries include car crashes, sports impacts, accidental burns, and assault.
When it results in a loss of vision, the impact of an eye injury can last a lifetime. Understanding the signs and symptoms of common eye injuries and what to do if you or someone you know experiences an injury in this area may help prevent serious complications.
Common Causes Of Eye Injuries
Workplace accidents are one of the most common causes of eye injuries. Some other ways people hurt their eyes include:
- Blunt trauma, such as from a baseball or football
- Penetrating trauma, such as from flying debris in a car accident
- Chemical burns, often from splashing liquids
- Tool malfunctions
- Airborne debris, such as wood or glass particles
- Falls or accidental collisions with objects
- Assault
Eye injuries don’t have to be severe to be painful. The eye contains sensitive nerves, and the nerves in the cornea are more densely packed than almost any other area in the body. However, whether you feel pain or not, seek medical attention if you suspect you have an eye injury. Immediate medical care could reduce the risk of further complications, including vision loss.
Common Types Of Eye Injuries
An eye injury is any type of bruise, puncture, burn, or scratch that affects the eyeball or the immediate surrounding area. Even wounds that don’t seem severe at the moment can lead to permanent vision loss.
Blunt Eye Trauma
Any blow to the eye is considered blunt eye trauma. An object such as a ball hitting the eye can cause the bruising and swelling pattern known as a “black eye.” The eyelid and surrounding areas may also swell. The pressure created by this swelling could damage delicate eye tissues.
A skull fracture can also cause bruising around the eyes, even if the eyes were not directly involved in the injury.
Corneal Abrasion
A scratch to the eye (or corneal abrasion) can happen when something tears the clear outer layer of the cornea. Many things can cause an abrasion, including a speck of debris that accidentally gets rubbed into the eye. Corneal abrasions may heal on their own, but infections and other complications are possible.
Burns
Chemicals, including household chemicals such as bleach or oven cleaner, can cause burns to the eye. Heat from a burst of hot air or steam can also cause severe injury. Even bright light, such as sunlight reflecting off of snow or water, can cause burn injuries and may lead to temporary blindness.
Foreign Body Injury
The eyes are two of the most vulnerable areas of the body. Humans tend to keep their eyes open during most of their waking hours. This means that any type of flying debris, from a harmless eyelash to a dangerous shard of glass, can become trapped in the eye.
Foreign objects can often be easily flushed out with water or saline, but some cases require emergency medical care.
Penetrating Injury
A penetrating injury is one where a sharp object penetrates the eye but doesn’t exit. A car accident or other incident that causes broken debris to fly through the air can cause a penetrating eye injury. This type of injury, also known as an open globe injury, is a serious threat to vision and requires emergency medical care.
When To See A Doctor
It is always a good idea to follow up with your doctor after an eye injury, even if you feel the injury is minor. Some injuries, such as open globe injuries or chemical burns, require immediate emergency care. Contact a medical provider if your injury meets any of these parameters:
- The eye is bleeding.
- There’s a change in your vision.
- The eye is painful and discolored.
- There is discharge from the eye.
- You splashed chemicals in your eye.
- The eye appears to be scratched or cut.
- You have a headache, eye pain, or nausea.
A doctor can assess any signs of trauma, such as swelling and bleeding, or locate a foreign object in the eye. They may order diagnostic tests such as an ultrasound, CT scan, X-ray, or MRI to get a more complete picture of the injury.
Turn To A Team You Can Trust
Eye injuries can cause severe pain and permanent vision loss and could even leave you disabled. If someone else’s negligence caused your eye injury, you may be eligible for financial compensation, including payment for medical bills and ongoing therapies. Call Anderson Injury Lawyers today to discuss your case and learn more about your rights.