After an injury to the eye, take your child to the hospital (A&E) or to your G.P. if you notice any of the following:
- swelling or bruising
- your child’s vision is blurred
- your child is complaining there is something in his eye
- your child seems to be in pain
- he seems sensitive to light
- the eyelid is torn
- excessive tearing in the eye
- the eye is red or inflamed
- one eye is protruding more than the other
It’s extremely important that you do not touch the eye until you see a medical professional as if the eye is damaged this could cause permanent damage.
The doctor will check for damage and prescribe the necessary treatment. If the cornea is scratched, for example she may prescribe antibiotic eye drops to help prevent infection while waiting for it to heal. If the area is bruised, she may advise to keep it elevated and recommend the use of cold compresses followed by warm compresses until the swelling goes down. It is rare but if there is more serious damage then surgery may be necessary.
Always check with a medical professional if your child has received an eye injury as it’s always best to err on the side of caution.
