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Eye Injury

There are about 1000 serious accidental eye injuries in children in the UK every year. These injuries can range from scratches to the surface of the eye and chemical burns and having foreign objects in the eye.

The advice below should help you decide whether your child’s eye injury requires further help or whether it can be managed by yourself at home.

  • Any changes to their sight after an eye injury
  • Unable to open eye due to swelling
  • Pupils not equal in size after the injury
  • The eye has been exposed to chemicals
  • Something embedded in the eye
  • Severe eye pain
  • Blood in the eye
  • Nausea or vomiting after an eye injury

You need urgent help

Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department, phone 999 or the nearest Eye casualty

Please commence the following first aid:

  • Wash out the affected eye with clean water if chemical or small particle exposure (ie sand)
  • Keep the injured eye still – do not try to move it
  • Lightly cover the eye
  • Been struck in the eye with a ball or other object
  • Red or irritated eye
  • A swollen, red or painful area around the eye or eyelid
  • An eye that is very sensitive to light
  • An eye injury that does not get better after 24 hours
  • You are worried about the eye injury

You need to contact a clinician today

Call NHS 111 – dial 111 or go to your nearest Urgent Care Centre / Minor Injury Unit

Please commence the following first aid:

  • Wash out the affected eye with clean water if chemical or small particle exposure (ie sand)
  • Keep the injured eye still – do not try to move it
  • Lightly cover the eye

If none of the above features are present

Self Care

Continue providing your child’s care at home – see below for tips on managing injuries at home.

 

Wash out the affected eye  

  • If the eye has been exposed to chemicals or fine particles like sand or grit.
  • Avoid if injury involved significant force or you can see any cuts to the eye itself
  • Use clean water (not hot) – this can be from a tap, shower, or bottled water if you're not at home
  • Hold the eye open
  • Run lots of water over the eyeball for at least 20 minutes
  • Make sure the flow of water is not too strong.

Pain relief

Other

  • Lightly cover the eye to prevent your child from rubbing it

Think prevention

  • Children who play sports should wear protective goggles or unbreakable glasses as needed.
  • Keep chemicals and other hazardous objects/products out of reach of children.
  • Supervise your child when they are playing with toys or Nerf guns.
  • Make sure your child has age-appropriate toys.
  • Make sure all safety equipment meets national standards.
  • Make sure sharp edges, such as table corners, are covered if your child is toddling around.
  • Be wary of dogs that are not known to you.
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