What is Eye Trauma?

Eye trauma is a condition that mostly affects young people, resulting in decreased vision and even blindness. As a result of eye trauma, vision loss may occur in one or both eyes. Approximately 19 million people worldwide have visual impairment in one eye due to eye trauma. These traumas may occur due to mechanical causes, chemical causes or radiation rays.

Eye trauma can occur to anyone at any time, suddenly or over time. It is useful to have information about the symptoms of eye trauma so that you can understand that you have had an eye trauma. Although symptoms vary depending on the type of trauma, the general symptoms of eye trauma may be:

• Pain or swelling, especially when trying to open and close the eye
• Redness or bruising at any point in the eye
• Increased sensation of sensitivity when touching the eye
• Changes in vision, such as flashes of light, double vision, floating black dots
• Related to eye movement, such as the inability to move the eyes easily or one eye moving independently problems
• Pupil sizes different from normal
• Changes in eye appearance such as strabismus that occur later
• Blood settling in the white part of the eye
• In the eye socket changes in appearance
• Tiny red or black dots in the eye

Medical intervention should be sought as soon as possible for any eye trauma. Early medical intervention can sometimes prevent irreversible vision loss or other problems. Some eye traumas, such as red eyes, may develop as a result of an injury or may be an early sign of any health problem. In order to implement strategies to prevent eye trauma, it is necessary to have information about why and how eye trauma occurs.

What Causes Eye Trauma?

Any person may be at risk for eye trauma. However, it is most common in teenagers or children who are actively involved in sports or other recreational activities. Some sports that are played harder than others or some occupational groups that carry risk may be among the risk groups in terms of developing eye trauma. As a result of eye trauma, structures around the eye or in the eyeball may be damaged. In general, eye trauma can be caused by the following reasons:

• Sports; Sports where the ball is thrown hard, such as basketball, rugby and baseball, where passing is frequently practiced, or where the other elbow enters the eye while trying to steal the ball, or where close contact is played, such as boxing, are in the risk group for eye trauma.
• Exerting the body more than possible can cause eye bleeding ( (for example, trying to lift something heavy)
• It is more common in people who come into contact with chemicals or irritating substances as part of their job.
• It may develop as a result of accidents that occur while using cutting tools such as drills and saws.
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• It can be seen as a result of a work accident in people who do not use equipment in a job that requires protective equipment, such as construction workers and kitchen workers.

Any eye injury should be treated quickly. In this way, irreversible injuries can be prevented. The majority of eye injuries are preventable accidents. Therefore, necessary precautions should be taken, people should be informed about the benefits of protective equipment, and the use of equipment should be encouraged by employers.

What to Pay Attention to Against Eye Injuries?

The eye is one of the sensitive and protected organs in the human body. Eye traumas mostly occur due to carelessness or various accidents. It is possible to prevent eye trauma by using the right equipment and being careful. In general, you can pay attention to the following to protect yourself from eye injuries:

• You can avoid the majority of possible accidents by using protective glasses, which are one of the protective equipment, especially at work and during various sports.
• Storing chemicals safely, adults know that eye contact with various chemicals, such as detergent, is dangerous. However, it is not possible to say the same for children. Curious children, especially those who are growing up, want to explore everything they can reach at home. For this reason, you may need to keep anything that may be harmful to children, including detergents, in a room or on a shelf where they cannot reach.
• Fireworks can offer a visual feast that attracts the attention of children, especially adults, as well. However, it should be ensured that the eyes of the person holding it are well protected against possible accidents. It is also beneficial to prevent children from playing with or handling fireworks.
• Laser may be one of the most commonly known issues related to eye trauma. When you were a child, you most likely pointed the laser at a family member's eye and were scolded because it could damage the eye.

Closed Eye Trauma

Closed eye trauma is a condition in which the tissues inside the eye are damaged. The eye wall is solid. It may develop as a result of a severe blow, such as a hard object hitting the eye. With the impact, contractions occur in the anterior and posterior axes of the eye. Sudden contractions may cause some eye problems.

Open Eye Trauma

Open eye trauma means damage to the eye wall. This damage usually occurs as a result of a cut. The white part of the eye is called sclera, and the transparent part is called cornea. These two sections form the eye wall. Injuries that occur as a result of a thick cut in one or both of these structures are called open eye trauma.

Retinal Detachment

The retina is attached to the eyeball. The situation in which the retina separates from the inner surface to which it is attached is called retinal detachment. It may develop due to age or trauma to the eye. As a result, there is a risk of permanent vision loss.

Orbital Fractures

The area around the eye consists of pit-shaped bones. These bones help protect the eye. However, there is a possibility that they may break in the face of a hard blow. When any deformation occurs around the eye, this may also affect the muscles that support the eye. Tearing, compression and stretching of the muscles affect vision. It is especially seen in children.

Corneal Abrasion

The horn is the transparent part located in the front of the eye. Like other structures of the eye, the cornea is a very sensitive structure. Hard objects, nails and even contact lenses can cause irritation to the cornea as a result of incorrect application. Generally, watery eyes are frequently observed in corneal abrasion. Contact lenses can damage the cornea if not changed for too long.

Burn or Irritation

As a result of various chemicals, fumes and other substances that can burn and irritate the eye, problems may occur in the eye, which may lead to loss of vision.

Bleeding

There may be many reasons for bleeding in the eye. It may be caused by a work accident, such as a piercing tool or chemical, or it may occur as a result of hard straining. Bleeding in the eye can occur in the white part of the eye or between the iris and cornea.

Purple Eye

It occurs as a result of a heavy blow to the eye and its surroundings. Bruising around the eyes is accompanied by swelling and pain. In some cases, a cut may also be seen on the eyelid. Depending on the size of the swelling, the person's vision may be impaired.

Types of Eye Trauma

There is more than one type of eye trauma. It may be a mild or severe trauma. You can find detailed information about the most common eye traumas below.

What to do when a foreign object enters the eye?

There is no need to worry immediately if a foreign object enters the eye for any reason. To protect eye health, you may first need to take some quick interventions at home. To protect your eyes, the first step should be to wash your eyes thoroughly with clean water. If there are guiding instructions on the packaging of the substance that enters your eyes, you must follow them. If it is not a serious condition, these two procedures will most likely relieve your eyes, but redness may remain or pain may be felt for a while. However, if there is an object stuck in the eye or a condition that affects vision loss, immediately contact the nearest emergency service without taking any action.