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The eye is a robust but delicate organ. It can sustain quite severe damage and, with the proper treatment, recover to its former state. In some instances, however, a seemingly ‘minor’ injury can be permanently disabling.

Always consider preventing eye injuries and taking sufficient protective measures (such as protective glasses or goggles). Generally, eye injuries are considered as either minor or major injuries.

Minor Eye Injuries These are injuries where the eye has come in contact with a foreign object causing minor irritation, or the object remains on the surface of the eye. It is characterised by a bloodshot eye, irritation and an urge to rub the eye.

• irrigate the eye and wash the object out
• if this fails, touch the corner of a clean wet cloth to the object and lift it off the surface
• refer to medical aid if vision is affected
• cover the affected eye if appropriate
•  avoid ‘pushing’ the object around the eye’s surface
•  only use eye-drops if prescribed by a doctor

Major Eye Injuries These are injuries that involve the penetration of the body of the eye, or involve severe blunt trauma to the eye. These injuries are characterised by blood in the eye, penetrating objects, disturbance of vision, protrusion of eye contents, and severe pain and spasms. Casualty care in this case is critical, and should be left to the experts.

• lay the casualty flat with complete rest
• call ‘000’ for an ambulance
• cover the affected eye
• if tolerated by the casualty, cover the unaffected eye, but remove it if the casualty becomes anxious
• reassurance
•  avoid attempting to remove any penetrating object
•  attempts to transport the casualty other than by ambulance should be resisted
•  eye-drops are not to be used under any circumstances

Welder’s Flash Flash burn and welder’s flash is the result of staring or inadvertently looking at the intense light caused during metal welding, while not wearing the correct eye protection.

Care must be taken to supervise children if welding is being conducted near them, and they should be removed from the location. The damage caused to the eye’s cornea by exposure to this intense light can be painful and, in some cases, permanent.