Eye injuries--first aid guide

Priorities

• Prevent further damage.
• Arrange transport to hospital.

Steps in administering aid

• Put on disposable gloves.
• Help the casualty to lie on his back and hold his head to keep it as still as possible.
• Tell him to keep both eyes still; movement of the “good” eye will cause movement of the injured one, which may damage it further.
• Ask the casualty to hold a sterile dressing or a clean non fluffy pad over the affected eye.
• If it takes some time to obtain medical help, secure the pad in place with a bandage.
• Take or send the casualty to hospital in the treatment position.