Your eyes are one of the most vulnerable organs in the body, with their location making it more so. While the location of the eyes is strategic to help you navigate the world efficiently, it also exposes them a lot more. 

Moreover, they do not have any hard covering to protect them; instead, it is covered by soft eyelids. With these in mind, it is understandable why every day, 2,000 workers in the United States sustain job-related eye injuries. 

Eye injuries do not only happen at work but also at home, at school, and on the field. Experts suggest visiting an eye doctor or the emergency room after you get an eye injury to prevent vision loss. Fortunately, you can avoid many of these injuries with just a few changes. 

Common Eye Injuries

Scratches in the Eye

Scratches in the eye, also called abrasions, are typical, usually from rubbing your eyes with a foreign object or getting poked in the eye. A foreign object would mean a grain of sand or dust trapped under the eyelid. These abrasions can become extremely uncomfortable and result in sensitivity to light and eye redness. 

If you notice that you accidentally scratched your eye with a foreign object, you must see an eye doctor. The greater danger of abrasions in the eye is that they expose it to infection by bacteria or fungus. Some can enter the eye in less than 24 hours after the scratch and cause vision loss. 

Foreign or Penetrating Objects

Tiny foreign objects, like grains of dust or eyelashes, enter your eye often, but your eyes can easily wash them out with tears. However, larger objects get washed away slowly and cause significant damage. If a large foreign object gets into your eye, like a piece of glass or metal, you must immediately go to the emergency room. 

It would be best not to attempt to remove the object on your own because you could cause more damage. Doctors advise loosely covering your eye with an eye shield or taping a paper cup over the eye.

Chemical Burns

Some chemicals sting in the beginning when they splash in your eye, but they fade and are harmless. However, others can lead to long-term damage, and some may even cause vision loss. The two main types of chemicals that may affect your eyes are:

Acids

Acids may sound more dangerous, but these chemicals can be washed away easily with enough water. They sting at first, but they cause no lasting damage. 

Alkali

Alkalis or basic substances may seem less harmless and may not even cause eye pain immediately. However, they are much more dangerous because they do not wash away easily, and the damage is long-lasting without immediate intervention. 

Preventing Eye Injuries

While eye injuries are common, you can prevent many of them with a few precautions. The most effective way to do so is to have safety goggles whenever you are in a dangerous situation. It would be best to have them on when playing contact sports, working in construction or the lab, or cleaning the house.

For more on common eye injuries and how to prevent them, visit Federal Hill Eye Care at our office in Baltimore, Maryland. Call (410) 752-8208​​​​​​​ to book an appointment today.