First-aid Care: Eye Injuries

Even a small eye injury can have serious consequences if not addressed quickly and correctly. From airborne debris to chemical splashes, the workplace presents a range of eye hazards. This guide covers essential first-aid steps to manage common eye injuries on the job so your team can stay protected and productive.

Personal protective equipment and other safe work practices help reduce the risk of eye injuries. Causes of eye injuries include exposure to airborne materials such as dust particles, ash, sparks, or metal fragments; toxic chemical splashes, mists, vapors, or fumes; radiant energy sources and high-energy visible light.

Signs + Symptoms

Signs and symptoms vary depending on the type and severity of an eye injury. Beyond clearly identifiable causes, general indicators include:

• Foreign body sensation (feeling something in the eye)
• Pain or discomfort in or around the eye
• Redness or bloodshot appearance
• Swelling of the eyelid or surrounding tissues
• Excessive tearing or watery eyes
• Blurred vision or light sensitivity
• Burning or stinging sensation
• Difficulty opening an eye

People who work on computers may experience vision-related discomfort such as headaches, tired eyes, or difficulty focusing.

First Aid

1. Do not touch, rub, or apply pressure to the eye.
2. For a particle in your eye, lift the upper eyelid over the lash of your lower lid. Blink and allow tears to flush out the particle.
3. For a particle, grit or liquid, flush with clean water or saline solution. Remove contact lenses before rinsing.
4. If you can see a foreign body in the white part of your eye, you may be able to remove it with the tip of a tissue or moist cotton swab. Do not brush over the cornea.
5. For a chemical splash, immediately flush the eye with water for at least 15 minutes. Seek immediate medical attention after flushing.
6. For a minor blow to the face or eye, gently apply a cold compress or ice.
7. To help relieve digital eye strain, wear glasses prescribed for computer use; reduce glare; take 20-second breaks to view something 20 feet away every 20 minutes.

First-aid Supplies for Eye Injuries

WorkCare recommends keeping the following supplies on-hand in your first-aid kits:

• Saline solution
• Tissue and cotton swabs
• Cold packs

Note: Seek medical care if you can’t remove a floating or embedded foreign body or still feel but can’t see something in your eye after flushing.