What if your little one has an eye injury? (Eye Injury) Don't worry, let's find out exactly what's going on!

Our little ones are mischievous. It's not uncommon for them to have minor accidents while playing, running, or jumping. Among them, we as parents are a little more worried about eye injuries, aren't we? Because eyes are very precious and sensitive. But don't worry. Most of the time, eye injuries are minor. But sometimes, there are times when urgent medical attention is needed. So, today we'll talk about what to do if your little one has an eye injury and when to see a doctor.

What are the symptoms of an eye injury?

When something happens to a child's eye, there are a few signs that we can immediately see. If we recognize these correctly, it will be easier for us to make a decision.

• Redness of the eye : This is often the first thing you notice. The white part of the eye may become red.
• Redness , swelling, or bruising around the eye: Depending on how the accident occurred, the skin around the eye may be red, swollen, and possibly blue (like a bruise ).
• Bleeding: A small amount of blood may come from inside or around the eye.
• Eye irritation, stinging: The child says, "Mommy, my eye hurts, it feels like something is stinging." This can happen even if something like soap is used.
• Tears or watery discharge: It is normal for tears to come out as the eye tries to clean itself.
• Difficulty looking at light: If your child feels like closing their eyes when looking at the light, that's also a sign.
• Blurred vision : Be careful if you say things like, "I can't see clearly, Mom."
• Eyelid swelling: The upper or lower eyelid may swell.

If you have one or more of these symptoms, it means something is wrong with your eye.

When do you suddenly need to go to a doctor?

Now let's look at the situations in which you should take your little one to a doctor or a hospital without delay . These are things that should not be ignored at all.

Important: If you have any of these symptoms, do not attempt to treat them at home . Seek medical advice immediately.

• Vision problems: If your child can't see clearly or suddenly loses their vision .
• If something seems stuck in your eye: Sometimes a small piece of glass, such as a shard, can become stuck in your eye. You should not try to remove it.
• Severe eye pain: If your child's eye hurts unbearably.
• Blood inside the eye: If there is a blood trail around the white part of the eye around the black eyeball (black ball), or if it seems like blood is coming from inside the eye.
• Stomach upset or vomiting after an eye injury: This can happen in some serious eye injuries.
• Eye Cut: If there is a visible cut above or inside the eye.
• If the pupils of both eyes are not the same, or one is not perfectly round: Normally, the small black circle in the middle of our eyes (that's what the `(Pupil)`) grows and shrinks depending on the light. If these two are not the same, or if one of them has changed shape, it is a serious sign.
• If you are hit in the eye by something like a ball: If you are hit in the eye by something like a cricket ball or tennis ball, you should definitely see a doctor.

In such a situation, don't panic and take your child to the nearest hospital as soon as possible. On the way, tell your child not to touch his/her eyes.

What to do if a chemical gets in your eye?

This is something that can happen in most homes. Imagine if bleach, toilet cleaner, or some other harsh `(Chemical)` got into a child's eye. In a situation like this , it's not a good idea to delay even a minute. The first thing you do is the most important thing.

1. Start washing the eye immediately:

• First, wash your hands thoroughly with soap. Your hands should be clean before touching your eyes.
• If you are a contact lens wearer, remove them carefully if possible.
• Flush the eye with water: Turn your child's head to the side and place the affected eye under a basin or sink . Slowly pour room-temperature water (not cold or hot) from the tap and pour it from the inner corner of the eye outwards, not directly into the eye. You should flush the eye for at least 15 minutes . At this point, ask your child to open and close their eyes.
• If both eyes have been exposed to the chemical, and if someone is a little older and listens, you can place the container under the shower in the bathroom and wash both eyes at once.

Imagine that your child is small, crying, struggling, and won't let you wash their eyes properly. However, washing their eyes for a few minutes can be a big help. So try as much as you can.

2. After washing the eyes:

• After rinsing the eye, seek emergency medical attention immediately. Take the person to the nearest hospital.
• In countries like America, there is a special phone number for such things (`Poison Control` - 1-800-222-1222). But in our country, the best thing to do is to go to a hospital as soon as possible. If necessary, you can also get help from the 1990 Suwaseriya Ambulance Service.
• If possible, take the bottle or packet of the chemical that got into your eye and show it to the doctor . It will make treatment easier.

Don't forget to call a doctor at times like this.

Some eye injuries may not be as serious as mentioned above, but it's still a good idea to see a doctor.

• If the eye is red: If the eye is still red after about a day.
• If there is persistent redness, swelling, and pain around the eye.
• If your child keeps touching or rubbing their eyes: It could mean there's something inside, or it could be an infection.
• If you continue to have difficulty looking at the light.

In times like these, call a doctor for advice. They may be able to prescribe something like eye drops.

How to make small things at home?

We don't need to run to the doctor for every little thing. We can take care of some minor injuries at home.

If something like dust or dirt gets into your eye, or if you get a minor burn:

It's normal for small particles of dust and sand to get into your eyes while playing. If that happens, here's what to do:

1. First, wash your hands thoroughly with soap.

2. If your child wears contact lenses, remove them.

3. Rinse the eye with water as soon as possible:

• Tilt the child's head over a basin or sink, keeping it under the affected eye.
• Slowly pull the lower eyelid down.
• Slowly pour some room temperature water (warm water is fine, but not hot water) into the eyes. At this point, ask the child to open and close their eyes.

4. Wash your eyes like this for about 5 minutes . Then check to see if the dirt or dust has been removed.

5. If it's still there, wash for another 5 minutes .

6. If the object still appears to be in the eye after washing it three times (for a total of 15 minutes), then it's best to call a doctor.

Important: Even if you can see what's in your eye, don't try to pull it out with your hands, blow on it, or wipe it with a cloth. Doing so can cause eye damage. Rinsing it with water is the best thing to do.

How to take care of your eyes? Let's prevent accidents!

"Prevention is better than cure," they say. There are actually several things we can do to prevent eye injuries in children. It's worth thinking about this because eye injuries can sometimes cause long-term vision damage, and even blindness.

• Protective goggles when playing sports: There is a high chance of getting hit in the eye while playing some sports (e.g. cricket, squash). Wear shatterproof protective goggles or glasses that are suitable for children.
• Keep chemicals and sharp objects out of reach of children: Keep household cleaning products, such as insecticides, in a cupboard or on a shelf out of reach of small children. Also, do not let them play with sharp objects, such as scissors and knives.
• Be careful with toys: Check toys given to young children for sharp edges and small pieces that can easily come off. These can pose a danger to the eyes.
• Be careful with fireworks: Keep small children away from fireworks during the festive season. Even under adult supervision, keep a safe distance.

Finally, things to remember

Okay, so we've talked a lot about eye hazards for little ones, haven't we? Finally, remember this:

• Don't panic: It's normal for parents to worry when something happens to their child's eye. But if you're worried, you won't be able to think straight. So try to calm yourself down as much as possible.
• Know when to see a doctor: This article will help you determine whether something is minor or serious. If in doubt, it's always best to consult a doctor.
• Do not touch or rub your eyes: Touching your eyes during an accident can make the situation worse.
• Prevention is best: It is our responsibility to make the environment as accident-free as possible.

Every parent wants their child to be healthy and happy. So I hope these facts will be useful to you.

Eye Accidents, Child Health, First Aid, Chemical Accidents, Eye Safety, Emergency Treatment, Eye Injury