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Eye injury

Dr Lynn Thomas, OStJ, BSc, MB.BS, MA, FRCPClinically reviewed: 28/04/2025

Eye injuries caused by something getting into the eye can vary in severity. Some foreign objects can be rinsed out, but others may cut or penetrate the eye and require medical help quickly.

What are injuries caused by foreign objects in the eyes?

Foreign objects, such as grit, a loose eyelash, or a contact lens, that lie on the surface of the eye can easily be rinsed out. Sharp fragments like metal or glass may cut or penetrate the eye and become embedded. If this is the case, the person should not attempt to remove the object but cover the eye and seek medical help as soon as possible.

Splashes of chemical substances to the eye can cause a serious injury if not treated quickly. These may occur with household products and in the workplace. Some chemicals can damage the surface of the eye and result in scarring or even blindness.

You will need to wash out the eye straight away to dilute and disperse the chemical. Make sure the contaminated water does not splash you or the casualty. If they are available, put on gloves to protect yourself before treating the casualty.

Flash burn is a condition that occurs when the surface of the eye is damaged by exposure to ultraviolet light, such as prolonged glare from sunlight reflecting off snow without protective goggles. It can also be caused by the flashback from a welder’s torch if a face shield is not worn. The development of symptoms is normally over a few hours and usually recovery can take a few days.

Signs and symptoms

Look for:

  • sensitivity to light

  • a gritty feeling in the eye

  • pain or discomfort in the eye or eyelid

  • redness and swelling of the eye

  • watering of the eye

  • inability to open the injured eye

  • a visible object

  • a visible wound or a bloodshot appearance

  • blurred, partial, or a total loss of vision.

What to do

  1. 1

    For major eye injuries, like a wound, embedded object, or chemical splashes, call 999 or 112 or go to an Emergency Department or Eye Casualty Department.

    Cover the injured eye with a clean eye pad or wound dressing. If there is a large object in their eye, do not try to remove it. Help the person to rest in a comfortable position with their eye closed.

    For minor injuries, advise the casualty not to rub their eye as this could make it worse. Ask them to sit down, facing a light.

  2. 2

    Wearing protective gloves if available, stand behind the casualty and gently open their eyelids with your thumbs. Ask them to look right, left, up and down as you look closely at the eye.

    If the casualty is wearing contact lenses, ask them to remove them if they can.

  3. 3

    If you can see something, ask them to tip their head backwards and wash it out by pouring clean water from the inner corner of the eye from a glass or jug.

    If it is a chemical splash, hold the casualty’s eye under gently running water for at least 20 minutes and make sure the outside and inside of the eyelid is washed.

    Make sure the contaminated water does not splash the uninjured eye, you, or the casualty.

  4. 4

    If this doesn’t work and the object is still on the surface of the eye, try to remove it with a moist piece of gauze or the damp corner of a clean handkerchief or tissue.

    If the pain is severe, bandage an eye pad over the affected eye.

    If the object isn’t easy to remove or the eye is very painful, seek medical advice. Call 111 or attend an Eye Casualty, Emergency Department or Urgent Treatment Centre.

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