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Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0
Spanish version
Eye Trauma
DESCRIPTION
This guideline covers injuries to the eye, eyelid, and area
around the eye. The main concern is possible damage to
your child's vision. Older children can tell us if their
vision is blurred or out of focus. Test your child's
vision at home by covering each eye in turn and having your
child look at a distant object. Children less than 3 years
old usually need to be examined by a physician to answer
this question.
HOME CARE
- Superficial cuts or scrapes
First wash your hands. Protect the eye with a clean
cloth, then wash the wound vigorously with liquid soap
and water for 5 minutes. Rinse the wound well. Then
apply pressure for 10 minutes with a sterile gauze to
stop bleeding. Leave the area exposed to the air.
Antiseptic ointments are usually unnecessary. Don't
use alcohol or Merthiolate on open wounds because they
sting and damage normal tissue.
- Swelling or bruises with intact skin
Swelling usually follows injury to the soft tissues or
bone around the eye. Apply ice for 20 minutes. Give
your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain if
necessary. Don't be surprised if a black eye develops
over the next 2 days. A subconjunctival hemorrhage
(bruise of the white of the eyeball) also shouldn't
cause undue concern. These unsightly bruises are
harmless. They do not spread to inside the eye and
clear up in about 2 weeks.
- Prevention of eye trauma
- Objects that penetrate the eyeball often result in
loss of vision. Don't buy your child an air-powered
gun (BB gun).
- Don't allow your child to play near someone using a
lawn mower.
CALL YOUR CHILD'S PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY IF:
- There is any injury to the eye itself.
- The skin is split open and may need stitches.
- Vision is blurred in either eye.
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