Common eye injuries (trauma) in daily life and how to treat them
The eyes, not covered by skin or hair, are organs that are easily susceptible to external stimuli. Under the supervision of an ophthalmologist, this article explains common situations in daily life where the eyes are likely to be injured, the types of injuries they can cause, and how to treat them.
![Basic treatment for eye injuries (trauma)]()
Basic treatment for eye injuries (trauma)
Even if the surface symptoms of an eye injury are mild, there is a possibility that the inside of the eye is damaged. To protect the vital function of "seeing," it is essential to always consult an ophthalmologist.
Basic First Aid
If you get a bruise... apply a damp towel or similar to cool the area above your eyelid.
If a foreign object gets in your eye... Do not touch it with your hands, press on it, or rub it. Rinse it with water.
Useful information when visiting an ophthalmologist
Please make a note of the following points so you can explain them to your doctor when you visit. If detergent or chemicals got into your eyes, please bring the container with you to your appointment if possible.
- Cause of injury
- The circumstances of the injury
- Date and Time
- Whether or not you wear glasses or contact lenses
- Actions taken before seeking medical attention
- Changes in symptoms before seeing a doctor
![Sports that are prone to eye injuries (trauma) and types of injuries]()
Sports that are prone to eye injuries (trauma) and types of injuries
Ball games and martial arts are sports where eye injuries are common. Retinal concussion, subconjunctival hemorrhage, iritis, and anterior chamber hemorrhage also frequently occur. If you experience a sudden decrease in vision or pain, see an ophthalmologist immediately. If you experience symptoms such as blurred vision, redness, bleeding, or difficulty seeing, we also recommend seeking medical attention promptly.
Martial arts, boxing, baseball, basketball, rugby
Orbital wall fractures are common. Symptoms include pain, swelling, double vision (diplopia) when looking upwards, and the eye remaining fixed in an upward position. It is important to see a doctor as soon as possible, undergo an MRI or CT scan, and if an inferior wall fracture is found, have surgery as soon as possible. Muscles trapped between fracture fragments for a long time can die, and if surgery is performed before muscle necrosis occurs, symptoms will improve.
Golf, badminton
A small ball or shuttlecock can hit the eyeball, causing it to rupture. Pain and vision loss occur immediately after the injury.
soccer
A large ball can cause a macular hole. In most cases, this is accompanied by retinal hemorrhage, such as vitreous hemorrhage, and vision loss occurs immediately after the injury.
![Explanation]()
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Eye contusion
Bruises to the eyes or the area around the eyes.
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Retinal concussion
A condition in which the retina is cloudy.
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subconjunctival hemorrhage
This condition occurs when blood vessels in the conjunctiva, which covers the white of the eye, rupture, causing a small amount of blood to accumulate beneath the conjunctiva.
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iritis
Inflammation of the iris.
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anterior chamber hemorrhage
This condition involves a tear in the iris, causing blood to leak into the anterior chamber, the space at the front of the eyeball.
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Orbital wall fracture
A fracture of the bones in the orbit (the socket of the eye). Orbital floor fractures (blow-through fractures), where the lower bones are fractured, are the most common.
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eyeball rupture
A condition in which the sclera, the membrane covering the eyeball, ruptures.
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macular hole
This disease causes a hole to form in the macula, the central part of the retina. Visual acuity can drop to below 0.1.
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Vitreous hemorrhage
This condition occurs when blood vessels in the retina or other tissues rupture, causing blood to flow into the vitreous humor (the tissue that fills the inside of the eyeball).
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fundus hemorrhage
A general term for bleeding caused by the rupture of blood vessels in the retina.
![Eye injuries (trauma) caused by ultraviolet rays]()
Eye injuries (trauma) caused by ultraviolet rays
Eye injuries can occur even without direct impact or foreign object ingestion. A common example is inflammation of the eyes caused by ultraviolet radiation.
Ski resorts, beaches, high mountains
Prolonged exposure to strong ultraviolet light can cause inflammation of the corneal surface (corneal epithelium). This is called snow blindness or snow keratitis, and in severe cases, it can lead to corneal erosion. When caused by electric welding or germicidal lamps, it is called photokeratitis.
The main symptoms are severe pain on the surface of the eye and blurred vision, like seeing through a morning mist. Other symptoms include redness, a gritty feeling in the eye, and excessive tearing. In most cases, symptoms appear about 8 hours after exposure to ultraviolet light. Cooling the eye can alleviate the pain, but if symptoms persist until the next day, you should see an ophthalmologist.
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Snow blindness, photokeratitis
Inflammation caused by damage to the corneal epithelium due to ultraviolet radiation.
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Corneal erosion
This condition involves damage to the corneal epithelium, with some of it peeling off.
![Eye injuries (trauma) that occur unexpectedly in daily life]()
Eye injuries (trauma) that occur unexpectedly in daily life
Getting a small speck of dust in your eye is a common occurrence, but incorrect handling can cause the dust to get further into the eye or even damage the eyeball. Don't self-diagnose and think "it'll be fine," but if you feel any discomfort, see an ophthalmologist immediately.
If a foreign object gets in
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Dust, sand, eyelashes, eyelash extensions, insects, etc.
Try blinking gently to wash it away with your tears. If it doesn't wash away, try immersing your eyes in water in a basin or similar container and blinking. If it still doesn't come out, or if you feel that something has gotten deep into your eye, consult an ophthalmologist.
If any of the following get into your eyes, you must see an ophthalmologist.
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Detergents, bleaches, hair dyes, adhesives, etc.
If liquid or powdered chemicals get into your eyes, rinse them immediately. Rinse your eyes with water, either with your eyes open or by running water directly into them from a tap, for at least 10 minutes, and then see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.
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Iron powder, iron fragments (especially noteworthy)
If a piece of metal gets stuck in your cornea, you'll feel pain and a gritty sensation for a while, but it will subside after some time. However, if left untreated, the metal will rust, and rust will form on the cornea, causing you to feel pain again.
The rust from the iron fragments can dissolve corneal tissue, potentially leading to a hole in the cornea and even blindness. Before that happens, see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible to have them removed.
If something sharp gets stuck in you
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Small pieces of trash, etc.
If a small piece of debris gets stuck in the surface of your eye, never rub it. Instead, rinse it gently with water and see an ophthalmologist. Rubbing can cause corneal epithelial detachment or cause the debris to become embedded deeper.
If any of the following objects get stuck in your eye, do not attempt to treat it yourself; please see an ophthalmologist.
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Plant thorns, caterpillar hairs
Because it has a structure that prevents it from retracting, it gets deeper each time you touch it. It may also contain toxins, so avoid touching it with your eyes and have a specialist remove it.
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withered grass and dead branches
Even if the wound appears minor, there's a possibility of fungal infection. There's a risk of developing a difficult-to-treat corneal ulcer later on. See an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.
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Pencils, ballpoint pens, chopsticks, etc.
Never try to pull it out yourself, and see an ophthalmologist immediately. If a foreign object gets stuck in your eye, it can cause corneal perforation, which can lead to traumatic cataracts due to pressure on the eyeball. If you experience bleeding or feel like you have "hot tears," be careful not to put pressure on your eye.
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Fishing hook
Because they have barbs, once they get stuck, they are not easy to remove. If they get stuck deeply, they can damage the lens and cause cataracts. Do not try to remove them yourself, and see an ophthalmologist immediately.
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Corneal epithelial detachment
This is a condition where the corneal epithelium is damaged and peeled off.
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corneal ulcer
This condition involves inflammation of the corneal surface, with the effects extending to deeper layers of the cornea.
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corneal perforation
A condition where there is a hole in the cornea.
Supervised by: Dr. Masayoshi Kajita, Director of Kajita Eye Clinic
After graduating from Fukushima Medical University in 1983, he worked as a researcher at the University of California, Berkeley, before opening Kajita Ophthalmology Clinic in 2003. From 2018 to 2021, he served as a Clinical Professor at Tokyo Medical and Dental University School of Medicine. In 2022, he was awarded Honorary Membership by the Japan Contact Lens Society, and in 2023, Honorary Membership by the Japanese Society of Ophthalmic Optics. He currently serves as a councilor of the Japan Ophthalmological Society and a member of the drafting committee for the Japanese Medical Optics JIS standards.