Whether large or small, an eye injury can be incredibly disruptive. And unless it is properly treated, it could get worse. At Memphis Eye and Cataract Associates, our ophthalmologist team help people prevent, treat, and recover from eye injuries. We believe it is so important to know about common eye injuries, so you’ll know what to do if you or a loved one ever suffers one.

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Common Types of Eye Injury

An eye injury can occur at work, on the sports field, or even while doing chores around your house. Here are a few of the types of eye injury our Memphis eye doctors want you and your loved ones to be aware of:

  • Black eye, or swelling around the eye
  • Corneal abrasion, or scratch on the cornea
  • Traumatic iritis, or inflammation of the colored part in your eye
  • Subconjunctival hemorrhage, or bleeding in the tiny blood vessels in the whites of your eyes
  • Chemical burn in the eye
  • Foreign object lodged in the eye, such as a shard of wood or metal
  • Hyphema, or bleeding in the space between the cornea and the iris
  • Orbital blowout fracture, or broken facial bones around the eye

Some of these injuries are relatively mild, while others (including hyphema and orbital blowout fractures) are considered medical emergencies that require immediate care at a hospital. Signs and symptoms of an eye injury can range from itchy, watery, irritated eyes to blurry vision and intense pain.

What to Do if You Have an Eye Injury

Take fast action when you have an eye injury to prevent infection, stop the injury from getting worse, alleviate your symptoms quickly, and protect your eye health. Depending on the nature of your eye injury, you may need to do different things. For instance, you may need to flush out your eye with water or put a cool compress over your eye until you can get to an eye doctor. Call our ophthalmology and ophthalmology clinic (or 911 in severe cases) right away if you are not sure what to do.

Our Memphis eye doctors have the skills and services to help you heal from your eye injury at every step of recovery. Whether you need medications, surgical procedures, protective eyewear, or low vision aids as you heal, we will work with you to find the most appropriate treatment for your needs and safety.

Are You Concerned About Your Vision and Eye Safety?

Contact the Memphis Eye & Cataract Associates at (901) 767-3937 to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced doctors of ophthalmology or ophthalmology. We can help you and your family avoid vision-threatening eye injury.