Community Health Network

Eye - Injury
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Symptom
Description

Should I
Call?

Care at
Home

Does this describe your child's symptoms?

Definition

Injuries to the eye, eyelid, and area around the eye

Vision

The main concern is whether the vision is damaged.
Older children can tell us if their vision is blurred or out of focus. Test them at home by covering each eye in turn and having them look at a distant object.
Children less than 5 years old usually need to be examined to rule out serious injuries affecting vision even if the injury seems minor.

If not, see these topics

Foreign body present, see EYE, FOREIGN BODY

Should I
Call?

Care at
Home

When to Call Your Doctor

	Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If
	You think your child has a serious injury Vision is blurred or lost in either eye Child reports double vision or unable to look upward Pupils unequal in size or abnormal shape Bloody or cloudy fluid behind the cornea (clear part) Object hit the eye at high speed (such as from a lawn mower, golf ball, fireworks) Sharp object hit the eye (such as metallic chip) Skin is split open or gaping and may need stitches Any cut on the eyelid or eyeball Constant tearing or blinking Child keeps the eye covered or refuses to open it Severe pain Age under 1 year old
	Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 am and 4 pm) If
	You think your child needs to be seen Bruises near the eye (such as a black eye or bleeding into the white of the eyeball) in child less than 5 years old
	Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If
	No tetanus shot in over 5 years for DIRTY cuts (over 10 years for CLEAN cuts) You have other questions or concerns
	Parent Care at Home If
	Minor eye injury and you don't think your child needs to be seen

Symptom
Description

Care at
Home

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR MINOR EYE INJURIES

Superficial Cuts or Scrapes:
- Apply direct pressure for 10 minutes with a sterile gauze to stop any bleeding.
- Wash the wound with soap and water for 5 minutes. (Protect the eye with a clean cloth.)
- Apply antibiotic ointment to cuts. Cover large scrapes with Band-Aid. Change daily.
Swelling or Bruises with Intact Skin (including a Black Eye):
- Initially, apply a cold pack or ice bag wrapped in a wet cloth to the area for 20 minutes per hour to reduce the bleeding. Repeat for 4 consecutive hours.
- A black eye usually takes 1 to 2 days to develop.
- A flame-shaped bruise of the white of the eyeball is also common. (called a subconjunctival hemorrhage)
- After 48 hours, apply a warm wash cloth for 10 minutes 3 times per day to help reabsorb the blood.
Pain Medicine: Give acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen as necessary for pain relief.
Expected Course: Both of these injuries are harmless, last about 2 weeks and cannot be helped by any medicine.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Pain becomes severe
- Changes in vision
- Your child becomes worse

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

Symptom
Description

Should I
Call?

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Author and Senior Reviewer: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D.

Last Reviewed: 1/19/2009

Last Revised: 6/24/2008

Content Set: Pediatric HouseCalls Online