Injury of the eye: types and treatment

The human eye is a fairly fragile and vulnerable organ that needs to be handled with care.But sometimes there are situations in which injuries and damage to the organ of varying severity are allowed. Therefore, it is important to know how to prevent them and what to do if they arise. It is also useful to get information about how to provide first aid.

Definition of disease

Injuries of the eye can be obtained as a result of various kinds of influences: stabbing and cutting objects, chemicals, temperature, blows with blunt objects.As a result, their consequences can also be different right up to the loss of the eyeball itself.

The most dangerous injuries are those caused by aggressive chemistry (especially alkaline) and concentrated acids. In this case, the harmful substance can leak into the tissue and act deep inside the eye. In the first place, the most vulnerable parts of the eye, such as retina and cornea, which can lead to complete loss of vision without the possibility recovery.

Classify the severity can be as follows:

• Lungs(do not harm visual acuity);
• Mediumseverity (there may be a temporary partial loss of vision, impairment);
• Heavy(persistent visual impairment);
• Particularly heavy(the ability to see completely is lost).

When working with household chemicals at home, it is recommended to be as careful as possible, since often the preparations contain dangerous substances for the mucous.

Causes

Very often traumatic eye injuries are associated with the activities of the victim.And despite the fact that there are usually a lot of safety rules in the production, unforeseen situations happen. Most Frequent:

• The foreign object, the body;
• Mechanical impact;
• Exposure to high or low temperature;
• Ultraviolet;
• Chemicals and preparations.

Regardless of in what environment and under what circumstances the injury was caused, it is necessary to provide first aid and then visit the ophthalmologist.

Symptoms

Symptoms of the problem may vary and, as a rule, depend on the nature of the lesion. Usually the patient experiences the following symptoms with mild, moderate and severe degrees:

• Painful sensations;
• Sensation of foreign body in the eye;
• Hemorrhage and bruising;
• Vascular rupture;
• Photophobia;
• Lachrymation and copious discharge (including purulent discharge);
• Erosion of tissues;
• Blurred vision;
• Reduction of visual acuity (up to the total impossibility of seeing);
• Inability to open eyes.

Possible complications

If the eye damage is very serious, there is a possibility of its complete removal.In other cases, without timely treatment in a medical institution, you may experience deterioration in the general condition of the patient, the appearance of erosion, loss of vision.Often after injury, the visual apparatus may be susceptible to the development of a variety of bacterial, viral and fungal infections, which, in turn, can also progress and cause irreparable damage to organs view.

It should also be taken into account that the scars that occur after healing can give a person some discomfort and cause frequent visits to the ophthalmologist.The injuries, in turn, are most likely to be taken into account by the body in the future.Thus, old wounds and injuries even after a few years are capable of giving any complications to the visual apparatus. Including they can increase the risk of deterioration of visual acuity and become prerequisites for frequent infections.

If an injury occurs, you should not touch your eyes with your hands, since this can increase the risk of infection.

Treatment

Treatment of eye damage should begin with a primary assessment of his degree and first aid, which includes:

1. Removal of foreign body, source of temperature, chemical and other pathogens of the problem;
2. Rinse the eyes (prohibited with penetrating wounds);
3. Apply a clean (preferably sterile) napkin;
4. Call for an ambulance.

In the hospital, the patient will be treated appropriately.

Medication

Medicinal preparations are an integral component of correct therapy of the damaged eye.As a rule, ophthalmologists prescribe drugs in the following direction:

• Accelerating healing;
• Painkillers;
• Vasoconstrictive (not always);
• Anti-inflammatory;
• Diuretics;
• Hormonal;
• Antimicrobial.

  Dexamethasone has an anti-inflammatory effect

Among the most commonly used medicines Vitasik, Defislez, various antibiotics. Also, medications for intravenous administration and oral administration are often used. In addition, drugs may be prescribed to reduce intraocular pressure, in case the trauma of the eye is blunt and the protective structures are not affected.

Surgically

Surgical treatment of injuries can be shown with a high severity of tissue integrity disorder, in particular, with penetrating wounds.The operation is indicated for damage to the cornea, conjunctiva, eyelids, lacrimal canals. In rare cases, it is possible to perform vitrectomy (pumping out blood with internal hemorrhage).

After the therapy, the sutures are removed after about two to three months.At this time, the patient should undergo prophylactic treatment with antibiotics and other drugs that alleviate the symptoms of trauma. Also, during the rehabilitation period, the patient should wear a sterile protective dressing.

Laser surgery

Self-treatment in cases of injury and mechanical damage to the eye tissues is unacceptable. The use of additional medicines and recipes of traditional medicine should be approved by the attending physician.

Prevention

Prevention of problems of this kind is usually reduced to a careful attitude to the organs of sight and observance of safety precautions. In order to significantly reduce the risk of injury, it is necessary:

• When using electrical and mechanical appliances use protective goggles;
• Use protective equipment against ultraviolet and other types of radiation;
• Observe the hygiene of the visual apparatus;
• Use masks and glasses at tram-hazardous enterprises and mobile games;
• Carefully apply chemical preparations (including household detergents and solvents);
• To fasten seat belts in motor transport.

In a house where children are present, adherence to the basic rules of safety and hygiene is especially important. From the child it is necessary to hide stitching and cutting objects, solvents, acids, detergents, harmful cosmetic preparations.

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conclusions

Damage to the eyeball can be extremely dangerous, as often lead to a complete loss of vision.The task of each injured person is to turn to a doctor in time to perform qualified therapy and reduce the risk of complications. Restoration of the visual apparatus after this can take quite a lot of time, but if observed of all recommendations, one can hope that all the most serious threats to the prevented.