Eyes Foreign Body in the Eye Particles of dust or grit or loose lashes are the most common foreign bodies found in the eye. In most cases, these can be easily removed. DO NOT ATTEMPT to remove a foreign body if it is on the colored part of the eye or embedded in the eyeball. In these cases, SEEK MEDICAL AID. Treatment: * Advise the casualty not to rub the eye. * Open the eye, ask the casualty to look right, left, up and down so that you can examine the eye in detail. * If you can see the foreign body, wash it out by pouring water from a jug into the affected eye, draining away from the good eye. * If this is unsuccessful, if there is no water available, and the foreign body is NOT STICKING to the eyeball, lift it out, using the damp corner of a clean handkerchief. * If you cannot remove the foreign body, cover the eye with an eye pad, secured lightly in position, and seek medical aid. Chemicals in the Eye Treatment: * Wash away the chemical as quickly as possible by holding the affected side of the face under cold water, so that the water drains away from the face. Continue this for 10 minutes. * If washing is not possible, lay the casualty down, protect the uninjured eye, and gently pour water into the open affected eye to drain away the chemical. * Lightly dress the eye with sterile eye pad or clean cloth. * Remove to hospital immediately. Blow to the Eye Treatment: * If severe, if there is loss of vision, seek medical assistance. * While waiting, cover the eye with clean dressing or clean folded handkerchief and keep the patient lying flat and quiet. Welder's Flash The cornea of the eye can be damaged by the ultra violet light produced by welding, damage usually taking about a week to heal. Treatment: * Bathe the eyes with cold water. * Lightly dress both eyes with pads of clean non-fluffy material. Seek medical help if thought necessary. ------------------ These files may be accessed through the web at http://firstaid.ie.eu.org/ I would like to thank the IEASR for allowing me to convert their pages over to the Pilot. Mary Jo Sminkey maryjo@dogpatch.org http://www.dogpatch.org ------------------ DISCLAIMER: Information in these files is presented in order to impart general information relating to first aid of various injuries and conditions. Such information is not complete and should not be used as a substitute for a consultation or visit with your physician or other health care provider, or as a substiture for actual training in first aid and/or CPR. While all reasonable care has been taken in compiling this information, Mary Jo Sminkey and Irish Emergency Ambulance Services Resource (IEASR) make no warranty as to the information's completeness, reliability or accuracy. Access to and use of the information contained herein is entirely at the risk of the user, Mary Jo Sminkey and IEASR shall not be liable, directly or indirectly to the user or any third party for any damage resulting from the use of the information contained or implied in the Pilot First Aid files.