Suraj Eye Institute
Patient Education — Accident & Emergency Eye Care
Accident & Emergency Eye Care
This section provides patient education on the most common eye emergencies seen at Suraj Eye Institute. Knowing how to respond quickly and correctly can preserve vision. Please select your preferred language above.
Articles in this section — tap a tile to read
Article 1 of 6 · Accident & Emergency
Foreign Body in the Eye
आँख में बाहरी कण
डोळ्यात परदेशी वस्तू जाणे
Fig 1 — Fig 1 — Foreign body (red dot) on the corneal surface. Early removal prevents corneal abrasion and infection.
A foreign body in the eye is any material — dust, metal filings, wood splinters, glass, or an insect — that lands on or embeds itself in the eye. Even tiny particles can cause significant pain, watering, and risk of infection.
First Aid — What To Do
- Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your face
- Blink repeatedly — tears may naturally flush out loose particles
- Rinse the eye gently with clean water or saline for 10–15 minutes
- If wearing contact lenses, remove them carefully before rinsing
- Seek medical attention if symptoms persist after rinsing
⚠ Do NOT rub the eye — rubbing can embed the particle deeper into the cornea or cause further scratching. Do NOT attempt to remove an embedded object with a finger or instrument.
Go to A&E immediately if: A metal or glass fragment is embedded; the injury involved a fast-moving object (grinding, drilling); vision is blurred or lost after the injury; or severe pain is not relieved by rinsing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a foreign body from my eye at home?
You can try blinking and rinsing with clean water to dislodge loose dust or debris. However, if the particle is embedded, sharp, or symptoms persist after rinsing, seek medical attention immediately.
What happens if a metal fragment is left in the eye?
Iron-containing metal particles can rust inside the eye within hours. This rust ring damages the cornea and becomes harder to remove. Prompt removal by an eye specialist is essential.
How long does recovery take after foreign body removal?
Most patients feel significant relief within 24 hours. The cornea typically heals within 2–5 days with appropriate antibiotic eye drops.
Article 2 of 6 · Accident & Emergency
Chemical Splash to the Eye
आँख में रासायनिक पदार्थ का छींटा
डोळ्यावर रासायनिक द्रव उडणे
Fig 2 — Fig 2 — Corneal layer penetration: Acid burns stop at the stroma; alkali burns penetrate all five layers.
Chemical splashes are among the most urgent eye emergencies. Alkali burns (lime, cement, ammonia, caustic soda) penetrate all layers of the cornea and continue to damage tissue even after rinsing. Acid burns, while painful, tend to cause only surface damage.
Immediate Action — IRRIGATE FIRST
- Start rinsing the eye immediately with large amounts of water — do not delay to seek saline
- Hold the eye open and pour water continuously for at least 30 minutes
- Remove contact lenses if possible during irrigation
- Do not try to neutralise — never apply acid to an alkali burn or vice versa
- Go to the eye emergency department immediately after initial home irrigation
⚠ Alkali chemicals continue to penetrate after washing. Hospital irrigation with pH testing is essential — do not assume home rinsing is sufficient.
Common Alkali Sources (more dangerous)
- Lime / cement (construction sites)
- Household bleach / ammonia
- Fertilisers and agricultural chemicals
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tap water acceptable for eye irrigation after a chemical splash?
Yes — clean tap water is effective and should be used immediately. Never delay rinsing to search for sterile saline. Copious and immediate irrigation is the single most important treatment step.
How can I tell if a chemical burn is serious?
Any chemical splash to the eye requires medical evaluation. Signs of severe injury include a cloudy or white cornea, persistent severe pain, and any degree of vision loss or blurring.
Why are alkali burns more dangerous than acid burns?
Acids cause immediate protein precipitation on the eye surface, limiting further penetration. Alkalis dissolve proteins and continue to penetrate through all corneal layers and into the eye, causing progressive damage long after contact.
Article 3 of 6 · Accident & Emergency
Blunt Injury to the Eye
आँख पर कुंद चोट
डोळ्यावर बोथट मार
Fig 3 — Fig 3 — Hyphema: blood pooling in the anterior chamber after blunt trauma (dark red area at lower iris).
Blunt trauma — from a fist, cricket ball, elbow, car airbag, or other blunt object — can cause injuries ranging from minor bruising to sight-threatening damage inside the eye.
Common Injuries
- Subconjunctival haemorrhage: Blood under the conjunctiva; looks alarming but usually resolves in 1–2 weeks
- Hyphema: Blood in the anterior chamber; requires rest and specialist monitoring
- Orbital fracture: Break in the bones surrounding the eye socket
- Retinal tear or detachment: Less common but vision-threatening
First Aid
- Apply a cold compress (ice wrapped in cloth) for 20 minutes to reduce swelling
- Do not press on the eye itself
- Seek medical evaluation for any significant blunt trauma
⚠ Seek emergency care if: There is double vision, inability to look up or down, a sunken appearance of the eye, or any vision change after the injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
My eye looks very red after a sports injury — is this serious?
A bright red patch on the white of the eye (subconjunctival haemorrhage) is common after blunt trauma and usually resolves in 1–2 weeks. However, any blurring of vision, pain inside the eye, or severe trauma should be evaluated promptly.
What is hyphema and is it dangerous?
Hyphema is a collection of blood in the anterior chamber of the eye. It can raise eye pressure. Most cases resolve with rest and drops, but re-bleeding (which is more serious) can occur. All hyphema cases should be reviewed by an eye specialist.
Can blunt eye trauma cause permanent vision loss?
Yes. Severe blunt trauma can cause retinal tears, retinal detachment, or optic nerve injury. Prompt specialist evaluation is important after any significant eye trauma.
Article 4 of 6 · Accident & Emergency
Fireworks Eye Injuries — Prevention & First Aid
आतिशबाज़ी से आँख की चोट — बचाव और प्राथमिक उपचार
फटाक्यांमुळे डोळ्याची दुखापत — प्रतिबंध आणि प्रथमोपचार
Fig 4 — Fig 4 — Fireworks safety: always follow DO guidelines and strictly avoid the DON’T practices.
Fireworks injuries cause some of the most severe and preventable eye emergencies, especially during Diwali and other festivals. Burns, lacerations, and penetrating injuries can result in permanent vision loss.
Types of Injuries
- Thermal burns from flame and heat
- Chemical burns from combustion products
- Blast injuries from the pressure wave
- Penetrating injuries from fragments of the firework casing
⚠ First Aid for Fireworks Eye Injury:
Do NOT rub the eye. Do NOT try to remove embedded material. Cover the eye gently with a clean cloth — do not apply pressure. Go to the nearest eye emergency department immediately.
Do NOT rub the eye. Do NOT try to remove embedded material. Cover the eye gently with a clean cloth — do not apply pressure. Go to the nearest eye emergency department immediately.
About Sparklers: Sparklers burn at temperatures above 1,000 °C. They are NOT safe for young children.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of eye injuries do fireworks cause?
Fireworks cause thermal burns from flame/heat, chemical burns from combustion products, blast injuries from the pressure wave, and penetrating injuries from fragments of the firework casing.
Are sparklers safe for children to hold?
Sparklers burn at temperatures above 1,000°C — hotter than many industrial processes. They are NOT safe for young children. Even older children can suffer serious burns if a sparkler breaks near the face.
If fireworks material enters the eye, should I flush it out?
Gently cover the eye without pressing and seek emergency care immediately. Do not flush with water if there is any possibility of a penetrating injury (a sharp fragment entering the eye), as flushing can cause further damage.
Article 5 of 6 · Accident & Emergency
UV Eye Injury — Welder’s Flash & Snow Blindness
यूवी प्रकाश से आँख की क्षति — वेल्डर फ्लैश
अतिनील किरण डोळ्याची दुखापत — वेल्डर फ्लॅश
Fig 5 — Fig 5 — UV exposure risk. Solid red line = HIGH RISK (no protection); dashed orange = MODERATE RISK.
Ultraviolet (UV) light from welding arcs, tanning beds, high-altitude snow, and unfiltered sunlight can cause photokeratitis — essentially a “sunburn” of the cornea. Symptoms appear 6–12 hours after exposure.
Symptoms
- Intense eye pain and burning sensation
- Red, watery, light-sensitive eyes
- Feeling of grit or sand in the eyes
- Temporary blurred vision
High-Risk Activities
- Arc welding or gas welding without a proper shield
- Skiing or working in bright snow without UV-protective eyewear
- Using a tanning bed without eye protection
- Watching a solar eclipse without certified eclipse glasses
Treatment
- Avoid further UV exposure; rest eyes in a darkened room
- Lubricating eye drops for comfort
- Pain relief as advised by your doctor
- Most cases recover fully within 24–72 hours
⚠ Do not wear contact lenses if you have photokeratitis — they can worsen the condition and delay healing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does welder’s flash pain last?
The pain typically peaks 6–12 hours after UV exposure and resolves within 24–72 hours with rest and appropriate treatment. Lubricating drops and mild pain relief usually provide good comfort.
Can UV eye injury cause permanent damage?
A single episode of photokeratitis usually heals completely. However, repeated UV exposure without eye protection increases the long-term risk of cataracts, pterygium, and macular degeneration.
Does a welding helmet protect against UV radiation?
A proper welding helmet with the correct shade number (typically shade 10–14 depending on the process) provides adequate UV protection. Safety glasses alone are NOT sufficient for arc welding. Bystanders also need appropriate eye protection.
Article 6 of 6 · Accident & Emergency
When Is It an Eye Emergency? — Recognising the Signs
आँख की आपात स्थिति को कैसे पहचानें
डोळ्याची आणीबाणी कशी ओळखावी
Fig 6 — Fig 6 — Eye emergency triage: Immediate (red) = A&E now; Urgent (orange) = same-day care; Routine (green) = next appointment.
Not all eye problems require immediate emergency care, but certain conditions deteriorate rapidly if untreated. Knowing when to act — and how urgently — can save your vision.
IMMEDIATE — Go to Eye A&E Right Now
- Sudden complete or partial loss of vision in one or both eyes
- Chemical splash to the eye
- Penetrating eye injury (cut or puncture to the eyeball)
- Eye injury from fireworks, explosion, or blast
- Sudden onset of many new floaters AND flashing lights (may indicate retinal detachment)
- Severe eye pain with nausea or vomiting (may indicate acute angle-closure glaucoma)
- Red eye with loss of vision and coloured halos around lights
URGENT — Same-Day Eye Appointment
- Foreign body not removed by irrigation
- New floaters without flashing lights (in high-risk individual: over 50, short-sighted)
- Significant trauma with persisting symptoms
- Sudden double vision
- Eye infection with discharge and significant discomfort
When in Doubt
- Always err on the side of seeking emergency care
- Early treatment preserves vision; delay may not
- Call SEI A&E: 0712-2568888
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if sudden vision loss is an emergency?
Any sudden vision loss — even partial — should be treated as an emergency. This includes sudden blurring, a curtain or shadow across the vision, or complete blackout in one eye. Contact the eye hospital immediately or go to the nearest A&E.
My eye is red and painful — when should I be worried?
A red eye with vision loss, severe pain, light sensitivity, or coloured halos around lights is potentially serious (may indicate acute glaucoma or severe infection). A mildly red eye without these features should still be seen by a doctor within 1–2 days.
What should I tell the doctor when I arrive at eye A&E?
Tell them: when the problem started; what you were doing when it happened; any chemicals involved; your current medications or eye drops; any previous eye conditions or surgeries; and whether you wear glasses or contact lenses.