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printThe Vision Council > Consumers > Eye Health + Wellness > Kids' Eyes > Eye Injury Care
Emergency Eye Injury Care
Here are some tips on caring for an eye injury in children.
DO
Protect the eye from further damage by placing an object against the bones surrounding the eye, having it act as a shield.
Bandage any cuts around the eye to prevent contamination or infection
Flush the eye with water in the case of a chemical burn or if there is small debris in the eye.
Use a cold compress to treat a blunt trauma injury such as a black eye. Do not apply additional pressure.
DON'T
Do not remove any objects that are stuck in the eye.
Do not wash out the eye when dealing with cuts or punctures to the eye.
Do not attempt to self-medicate. Stay away from applying ointments or taking any medications, including over-the-counter drugs.
Do not rub the eye. Doing so will cause more damage.
Remember: The severity of an eye injury may not always be immediately apparent, so it's important to take caution in any treatment. Follow-up care by an eye care professional or emergency room physician is recommended after any eye injury.
*All content on this page has been approved by The Better Vision Institute – the medical advisory panel of The Vision Council.
