Eye Injuries

Eye injuries can occur at any time. Our office is equipped to handle most eye trauma. Whether it is a laceration, an abrasion, a foreign particle that has become embedded or a burn, permanent damage can result if treatment is not begun in a timely manner.

The back of the eye does not have any pain sensors, so flashes and floaters are your best clue that there is something wrong. In contrast, the cornea (the clear window on the front of the eye) has more nerve pain sensors than any other part of the body. A minor injury to the cornea can be incredibly painful. However, in both cases, immediate treatment is needed. Our office staff is well trained to know how to expedite the treatment of these type of injuries. Call immediately when an injury occurs-- we are here to help.

Embedded Foreign Bodies

A common injury is a metallic foreign body embedded in the cornea. Grinding or drilling metal releases tiny particles that are hot. When they hit the eye they embed themselves in the cornea. If it is iron, as in this photo, it will immediately begin to rust due to the salty consistency of our tears. When the metal particle is removed, there can be a remaining rust deposit that has infiltrated the surrounding tissue. Removing both the particle as well as the rusty tissue is imperative to maintaining good eye health. With proper medical treatment these injuries will heal well, although minor scars may be seen for years after the injury.

If the foreign particle was embedded in the line of sight, a scar may remain which could affect the patient's vision permanently Safety glasses are always recommended to prevent these type of injuries.

Retinal Trauma

Contusions, otherwise referred to as a "black eye", can result in more than just the obvious bruises on the face. The retina is the nerve tissue that lines the back of the eye and is responsible for sensing light. There is a blood vessel layer under the retina. This is very delicate and sensitive tissue.