5 Types of Eye Injuries that Require Quick Medical Attention

Park 07-06-15 100255310 phasinphoto FDPEye injuries can range from those that heal on their own to more serious problems than can permanently damage vision. Dr. Beth R. Friedland of Park Ophthalmology wants her patients to understand some common types of injuries and what to do about them. Certain injuries may require a trip to Park Ophthalmology’s office or to a Raleigh emergency room.

Five types of eye injuries that can require a trip to the doctor or emergency room:

  • Eye Scratches: If a speck of dust or other foreign object touches the eye, a person’s first reaction often is to rub. Resist that urge! Rubbing aggravates the problem. Although most minor scratches resolve on their own, they can become infected and should be examined by a doctor.
  • Foreign objects in the eye: Glass, wood splinters and bits of metal can penetrate the eye. Whenever this happens, a trip to urgent care or the emergency room is appropriate. No one should try to remove such an object.
  • Chemical burns: Cleaning products can spatter and splash into the eyes, causing irritation and burning. Flush the affected eye with tepid water for a full 15 minutes immediately after contact, then contact a doctor, urgent care or emergency room to get advice on what to do next.
  • Eye bleeding: Minor injuries to the eye can cause internal bleeding, turning the white of the eye bright red. This looks worse than it is, does not threaten vision and will resolve itself in a matter of weeks. Nevertheless, anyone concerned about the injury that caused the bleeding is always encouraged to have it checked out by Dr. Friedland.
  • Impact injuries to the Eye: Impacts by baseballs, hockey sticks, bats and sports equipment can break facial bones and can cause permanent vision loss. Whenever something hard impacts the eye, the patient should be examined by a doctor.

Contact Park Ophthalmology today to find out how to prevent eye injuries as Dr. Friedland encourages all of her patients to learn as much as possible about how to maintain eye health.

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Park Ophthalmology welcomes patients from all areas of the Triangle and offers a wide variety of specialized services including surgery for diseases of the eye, vision examinations, eye safety information, sports medicine protective eyewear and counseling, contact lenses and evaluation, and all types of ocular diagnosis and treatment. Many types of surgery are available, including cataract and laser surgery. We are here for you and your eye and overall health. Give us a call today!

This article about the vision care is brought to you by the professional team at Park Ophthalmology located in the Triangle Region of North Carolina.

The information contained in this blog article is intended solely for informational purposes and is not intended to be offered as medical advice.

Locations:

Park Ophthalmology

5306 NC Highway 55, Suite 102 (adjacent to the RTP/ Research Triangle Park)

Durham, NC 27713

Office: 919 544 5375

Fax: 919 544 5829

Photo: phasenphoto, freedigitalphotos.net

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Park Ophthalmology North

6512 Six Forks Road, Suite 105

Raleigh, NC 27615

919 846 6915

Office Manager Jenny Whitman, e-mail: jenny.brfeyecare@ncrrbiz.com.

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Keep Eyes Safe This Holiday Season

phanlop 88 Eye InjuryEye injuries, especially among children, for Raleigh and Durham residents are not uncommon during the Holiday Season, and Beth R. Friedland at Park Ophthalmology wants to make sure you are safe this Christmas and New Year’s.

As the Triangle celebrates watch out for these common eye hazards:

Decorations: Glass ornaments with metal hooks and detachable parts are dangerous for young children. Avoid using the metal hooks and place fragile ornaments on the higher branches. If using a real tree, trim back the lower branches to prevent a poke in the eye.

Toys : According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were 265,000 toy-related injuries treated in emergency rooms last year. “Most of these injuries affect children under age 15, and nearly half affect the head or face,” reports the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Sharp toys or those with projectiles can cause increased intraocular pressure, ocular hyphema, corneal abrasion (scratch), or atraumatic cataract — all of which require surgery.

Be sure to:

  • Purchase gifts that are age appropriate.
  • Check toys for sharp edges and corners.
  • Avoid toys with protruding or projectile parts.

Outdoor sports: From sledding to skiing, winter is a great time to be outdoors for healthy activities, but these same activities can cause serious eye injuries. Wear eye protection when playing in the winter wonderland.

Holiday Candles: Hot wax typically burns the skin, but when a flame is blown out, that wax can end up in someone’s eye, causing both serious pain and serious injury. Be sure to keep candles away from children and take care when extinguishing them.

Destination Driving: Drivers heading to Grandma’s house this holiday season should take breaks from the road every couple of hours to rest their eyes. Artificial tears are encouraged to help soothe dry eyes.

A trip to the emergency room or ophthalmologist sure puts a damper on the holiday spirit. But a few simple prevention steps can keep Triangle residents’ eyes safe now and through the entire year. From Dr. Beth Friedland, happy — and eye safe — holiday wishes!

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Park Ophthalmology welcomes patients from all areas of the Triangle and offers a wide variety of specialized services including surgery for diseases of the eye, vision examinations, eye safety information, sports medicine protective eyewear and counseling, contact lenses and evaluation, and all types of ocular diagnosis and treatment. Many types of surgery are available, including cataract and laser surgery. We are here for you and your eye and overall health. Give us a call today!

This article about holiday eye safety is brought to you by the professional team atPark Ophthalmology located in the Triangle Region of North Carolina.

The information contained in this blog article is intended solely for informational purposes and is not intended to be offered as medical advice.

Locations:

Park Ophthalmology

5306 NC Highway 55, Suite 102 (adjacent to the RTP/ Research Triangle Park)

Durham, NC 27713

Office: 919 544 5375

Fax: 919 544 5829

**

Park Ophthalmology North

6512 Six Forks Road, Suite 105

Raleigh, NC 27615

919 846 6915

Photo: phanlop88, freedigitalphotos.net