Injury to the eye area or conditions affecting the eye or its surrounding tissues may result in pain or irritation in the eye or in the area around it. The two most frequent medical reasons for eye discomfort are infection and inflammation. Although they are uncommon, diseases that could damage your health or vision should always be ruled out by your doctor.
EYESTRAIN
Long-term reading and close work done in dim light do not harm the eyes. The likelihood of experiencing an occasional headache after such activities is higher due to muscle strain brought on by bad posture and tension from concentration. However, you should schedule an eye exam if you frequently experience headaches when reading because this could indicate that your eyesight is poor.
EYE INJURY FIRST AID
Rapid action is necessary if you get an eye or eyelid injury. Go to the emergency room of your local hospital as soon as you can after administering first aid, with the exception of situations when a foreign body has been safely removed from the eye.
Cuts on the eyelid or the eye
Wrap a bandage around the wounded eye and cover it with a clean pad (such as a handkerchief folded in half). Do not exert pressure. Get medical assistance.
Eye-area blows
Apply first aid as described above for a cut eye, but instead of applying a dry pad over the eye, apply a cold compress.
Toxic substances in the eyes
If you accidentally drop any harsh chemicals (like bleach or home cleaning) in your eyes, flush the area with a lot of cold running water right away. Your wounded eye should be facing downward when you tilt your head so that water will flow forth from the inside. The eyelids should be kept apart with your fingers. Once the chemical seems to have completely disappeared, gently cover the eye with a clean pad and get medical help.
Object in the eye
Never try to remove any of the following:
- An object that is stuck inside the eye.
- A metal fragments.
- A particle covering the eye’s-colored area.
In each of these scenarios, you should seek medical attention and shield your eye as advised in case of an eye or eyelid is cut. The following procedures can be used to get rid of other foreign objects, such as flecks of dirt or eyelashes that may be floating on the eye’s white or inside the lids.
- Pick out the particle with the moistened corner of a clean tissue or cotton-tipped swab if you can see it on the eye white or inside the lower lid.
- Pull the upper lid over the lower lid and hold it in place for a brief period of time (far right) if you are unable to see the particle. This may cause the particle to move. If the particle is still present, it can be found inside the upper lid. Get medical assistance if you’re on your own. As in step 3, another individual could be able to remove the foreign body.
- Get the patient to look downward. Holding the upper lid’s lashes, lower it. Fold the lid back over the upper lid after placing a cotton swab over it. If the particle is now visible, carefully remove it as in step 1 by picking it off.