When you or your child suffers an eye injury, there are immediate steps you can take to care for the wound.

Foreign object in the eye (bug, sand, leaf, dirt, etc.) that isnt sharp

  Often your eyes tears will flush it out, if not, use saline solution. Do not rub your eye. If the object is under the upper eyelid, pull the upper lid down over the lower one for a few moments. If the object is under the lower eyelid, pull the lower eyelid down. Looking in a mirror, take the corner of a piece of sterile gauze to draw the object out. If this doesnt work, rinse the eye for 15 minutes. Hold the eyelid open and let the water run from the inside to the outside of your eye. Apply a patch to keep the eyelid closed. 

Liquid product in the eye

  For most safe things (soap, shampoo, milk, etc.), rinse it out with saline solution for one to three minutes. For a chemical that you know is not alkaline (lye), rinse for five to 10 minutes. If it is alkaline (lye) or you dont know what the chemical is, rinse for 30 minutes and have someone call your local Poison Control Center or 1-800-222-1222 (sponsored by the American Association of Poison Control Centers). Do not stop rinsing until medical help arrives or the Poison Control Center tells you to. Make sure the rinsed-out chemical does not run into the other eye, mouth, or nose.

Blunt object hits the eye

  Objects larger than the space between the eyebrow and cheek rarely contact the eyeball, so examine the eye closely. If the pupils are of unequal size, or if you see bleeding, seek immediate medical help. Otherwise, cover the injured area with a cold pack wrapped in a lightly moist, clean cloth for 20 minutes every hour or so until you can see your doctor. If the pain is constant and you have blurred or double vision or were hit by a high-speed object, consult your doctor as soon as possible. 

Sharp object in the eye

  Do not remove; seek immediate medical help. Cover the eye with a sterile gauze pad or clean tissues forming a circle around the outside of the eye. Place a crushed paper cup over the eye, making sure not to touch the object. Wrap a bandage over both eyes and secure with tape. Start tape at the forehead, over the cup and to the cheek. Do not press directly on the eye. 

Eye is knocked out of the socket

  Act quickly. Do not try to put the eye back in the socket. Cover the eye with a clean, moist, cloth. Then cover both eye sockets to prevent movement. Get to an emergency room immediately or call 911.