Eye Protection at Work: First Aid

Medical care

Report all eye injuries to your supervisor right away for medical care.

Foreign particles

If you get anything in your eye—dirt, metal, even an eyelash—go to the nearest eyewash station or water source. Flush the eye with water until the object has been rinsed out. Don't rub your eye. This can scratch your eye or embed the object. If the particle doesn't rinse free, bandage your eye loosely and get medical care.

Chemical splashes

Seconds count! Go right away to the nearest emergency shower or water source. Look directly into the stream of water—hold your eyes open with your fingers if needed—and flush your eyes and face for at least 15 minutes. Get medical care.

Light burns

If you're exposed to welding, laser, or other radiant light when you're not wearing the correct protective eyewear, you likely won't feel pain right away. But from 4 to 12 hours later your eyes may feel gritty, be sensitive to light, or get red or swollen. If this occurs, keep your eyes closed to prevent irritation and get medical care.

Cuts near the eye

Don't rub, press, or wash the cut. This can cause more damage. Loosely bandage both eyes to stop any eye movement, and get medical care.

Embedded objects

Never try to remove objects embedded in your eye. This can cause more damage. Loosely bandage both eyes and get medical care.

• DO NOT use tweezers or other items to try and remove the embedded object.

Bumps and blows

If you get a bump or blow to the eye, put a cold compress without putting pressure on the eye. Crushed ice in a plastic bag can be placed gently on the injured eye for 15 minutes to reduce the pain and swelling. Get medical care to check for damage that may have occurred inside the eye.

• Don't use steaks or other food items. These can get bacteria into the eye.

• DO NOT apply any pressure.

• If a black eye, pain, or visual disturbance occurs even after a light blow, immediately contact your ophthalmologist or emergency room. Even a light blow can cause a significant eye injury, like a retinal detachment.

• In cases of severe pain or reduced vision, get immediate medical care.

For all other eye injuries

Injuries other than grit in the eye or small scratches to the eye should be considered potentially serious.

• Do not touch, rub, or apply pressure to the eye.

• Do not try to remove any objects stuck in the eye.

• Do not apply ointment or medicine to the eye.

• Over-the-counter eye drops can be more painful or make the injury worse.

• Prescription medicines should only be used for exactly the condition they were prescribed for, not for emergency treatment.

• See a healthcare provider as soon as possible.