Dr. Dr. Zuhal Butuner on Eye Injuries: Causes and Treatment

According to Dr. Zuhal Butuner, eye injuries come in many forms. These include bruises and punctures, scratches, and direct blows. They can result from accidents, exposure to chemicals, or foreign objects in the eye. Dr. Zuhal Butuner urges everyone to see an eye care practitioner immediately if they have sustained an eye injury.

Some injuries to the eye heal with rest and at-home treatments. However, others can cause serious eye damage and even vision loss.

Eye injuries range from mild to severe, Dr. Zuhal Butuner explains. Below are some of the most common eye injuries.

A black eye results from a blow to the eye or the surrounding tissue. The area around the eye is swollen and bruised. It is also painful. The eyelid may also be cut, and the swelling can affect vision.

Dr. Zuhal Butuner says that a subconjunctival hemorrhage (bleeding) happens as blood appears in the clear skin part of the eye, otherwise known as the conjunctiva, that covers the white part, otherwise known as the sclera. It is usually caused by straining the eye too hard (i.e., coughing, poking in the eye, extreme lifting) that causes one of the fine blood vessels in the conjunctiva to rupture. Although these may look alarming, they do not impact vision and are generally harmless. It takes about 2 to 3 weeks for the blood to be re-absorbed by the body and disappear. Something more serious is when a hemorrhage (bleeding) occurs inside the eye. The blood can gather between the cornea and the iris, the clear transparent front surface of the eye (cornea), and the colored part (iris). It is called a hyphema. It is generally a result of trauma and should be evaluated by an eye care practitioner as it is a risk for complications such as glaucoma. Bleeding can also occur inside the eyeball due to a retinal detachment or blunt trauma. It can be very serious and should be treated as an emergency.

Chemicals, fumes, and other irritants can burn or damage the eye. It can lead to loss of vision by damaging the clear surface of the eye (the cornea).

A corneal abrasion happens when foreign objects, fingernails, and other items scratch the cornea. The cornea is the transparent and clear surface on the front of the eye. These abrasions cause pain and sensitivity to light. They can also cause the eyes to water due to the irritation. Similarly, eyes can sustain injuries from a foreign object. When something lodges in the eye, it can lead to eye pain and vision problems. The most common foreign objects that enter the eyelid and hurt the eye include dirt or debris, sawdust, or in some cases, even shattered glass. Contact lenses can likewise cause eye injuries when they stay in the eye too long.

Eye socket or orbital fractures happen when trauma or blunt force is suddenly applied to the bones surrounding the eye. Fractures in this area usually occur when an object or a fist hits the eye. In an orbital blowout fracture, which is much worse, bones inside the eye socket shatter. Here, the muscles that support the eyes can stretch, tear, or even become trapped. Children are especially susceptible to this, Dr. Zuhal Butuner warns.

Retinal detachment is dangerous. A detached retina can cause permanent vision loss. It can be caused by trauma to the eye, e.g., a Car accident or blow to the eye. The retina, or thin tissue on the back of the eye, pulls away or detaches itself from the wall of the eye. It can take days or weeks for a retinal detachment to occur after the eye has experienced trauma.

There are many possible ways the eyes may get injured. For example, it is possible to injure the eyes during construction jobs around the house. Eye injuries commonly happen in sports as well. Athletes have been known to sustain eye injuries from flying baseballs, tennis balls, or squash balls. It is very important to wear eye protection when playing racquet sports, doing construction jobs when fine dust and particles fly through the air, or using toxic chemicals.

What to do in case of an injury?

Suppose your eyes sustain injuries other than grit or minor scratches. In that case, Dr. Zuhal Butuner says that you should consider these injuries potentially serious.

You should not touch, rub, or apply pressure to the eye or try to remove any objects stuck in the eye. Don’t apply ointment or medication to the injured part of the eye. If you have a chemical injury, it is important to flush the eye out thoroughly asap.

Finally, if you ever sustain an eye injury, Dr. Zuhal Butuner says you should see a doctor as soon as possible. You should go to the emergency room if you don’t see an ophthalmologist immediately.

Read more on Dr. Zuhal Butuner‘s insights on the health and wellness of the eyes by clicking here.