“It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt” couldn’t be a more accurate statement when an eye injury results from a favorite pastime. Immediate medical attention and prompt treatment can make the difference between an eye that heals or an eye that has permanent vision loss.

Any injury resulting from a blunt object, like a ball, elbow, or toy, can cause damage to some or all of the soft eye tissues, as well as to the surrounding bone and blood vessels. Immediate cold compress and prompt eye evaluation by a qualified doctor can rule out retinal detachment, orbital floor fractures, and internal eye swelling, called traumatic iris. Any sudden loss of vision or concussion needs emergency care and possible imaging with MRI or CT.

Injuries cause by sharp fast-moving objects from hammering, drilling, and chiseling metal or wood, or from broken glass, can quickly penetrate the eye. Immediately call for medical transport help, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department for a detailed ocular evaluation, imaging will be needed. Never pull a visibly protruding object out of an eye (worse damage can occur), instead carefully tape or hold a cup over the eye to avoid further penetration until emergency care is available to expertly remove the foreign body.

Ocular trauma is the leading cause of vision loss in people under the age of 25, especially in males. Wearing protective eye wear for sports and high-risk activities can prevent the majority of traumatic eye events. Because eye injuries can occur at any age, even adults need to wear wrap protective polycarbonate goggles for sporting activities, and especially for yard work and other home projects.

Chemical burns, eyelid lacerations, black eye, and other conditions always require immediate attention. Making sure that there is no underlying condition that could cause loss of vision is of primary importance. For more resources on protecting your eyes and your children’s vision, ask your optometrist or ophthalmologist, and remember to WEAR YOUR GOGGLES!!