Common Causes of Eye Injuries By Monterey County Eye Associates on November 17, 2014

At Monterey County Eye Associates, we strive to offer a comprehensive range of eye care treatments designed to address the unique vision needs of patients of all ages, from the pediatric to the elderly. In addition to providing treatments for eye diseases and disorders, we offer treatments for eye injuries, ranging from the minor to the severe. At our eye care clinic in Monterey, eye injury treatments of the highest standard are available to restore your precious eyes to their optimal health.

Remember that, when it comes to your vision, there is no such thing as being too careful. An injury to your eyes should never be dismissed as being “nothing to worry about,” especially if you experience a change in your vision or visible damage to one or both of your eyes. It is better to err on the side of caution and have your eyes examined than to risk permanent damage to your vision.

In the following blog post, we will discuss some of the more common causes of eye injuries. If you or someone you love has experienced any of these or any other causes of eye injuries, we encourage you to seek treatment right away.

Typical Eye Injury Causes

Some of the more common causes of eye injuries include:

Trauma to the eye: A blow to the eye, whether it comes via a fist, an elbow, a ball, or a blunt object, can cause serious damage to the eye and the protective socket in which it is housed.
Chemical exposures and burns: Exposure to acids, alkaline substances, and aerosols can cause severe and even permanent damage to the eye.
Corneal scratches and abrasions: These often occur among children due to roughhousing, as well as among active children and adults while participating in sports or hiking where there are low-hanging branches.
Getting foreign objects in the eyes: Especially when not wearing protection and working with wood or metal, foreign objects can enter the eyes and cause damage.
Penetrating injuries: During accidents, glass and other objects can penetrate the eyes and cause serious damage.
Exposure to radiation: For example, overexposure to ultraviolet light from the sun can cause damage to the eyes.

Don’t Take Chances - Seek Medical Attention

If you experience any of the above eye injuries, don’t hesitate to contact our practice and schedule an appointment right away. This is particularly true if your injury is accompanied by:

Severe or constant pain
Impaired vision
Visible bleeding in your eye
Foreign particles that you cannot flush out
Double vision
Flashes or floaters in your field of vision
Your pupil assuming an irregular shape (that is, it is no longer round)
Stabbing pain when exposed to light
Cuts to your eye
Cuts around your eye

If your eye has suffered obvious damage - for example, if it has become dislodged from its socket - do not hesitate for even one moment to seek medical attention.