1Keep victim still 2Dress wound
3Summon help
Eye wound
Any wound to the eye is potentially serious. Blows to the eye can cause bruising or cuts, and sharp fragments of materials, such as glass, can become embedded in the eye’ s surface. Even a superficial scrape can result in scarring and vision deterioration. The aims of first-aid treatment for an eye wound are to prevent any further damage, to dress the wound, and to get the victim to the hospital.
TREATING AN EYE WOUND
SPLINTERS • EYE WOUND
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
• Sharp pain in injured eye
• Visible wound or bloodshot eye
• Partial or total loss of vision
• Blood or clear fluid leaking from injured eye
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1Keep victim still 2Dress wound
• Lay the victim on a firm surface, placing a blanket underneath him if it is cold.
• Kneel down and support his head on your knees, holding it as still as possible.
• Tell him to keep both his eyes shut and still.
• Hold a sterile wound dressing or clean pad over the injured eye, or ask the victim to do it, and ask him to keep his uninjured eye still.
• Keep his head steady.
Keep injured eye covered
Tell victim to keep both eyes still
Support his head
! Important
• Do not touch the affected eye or allow the victim to touch it.
3Summon help
• Ask someone to dial 911 or call EMS. If you call yourself, first place some cushions under the victim’ s head for support.
• Alternatively, if you can keep the victim still and laying down, take him to the hospital yourself.