Eye Trauma or Injury
Critical
Eye trauma can result from scratches, punctures, blunt force, or chemical exposure. These injuries require immediate attention to prevent vision loss or permanent damage.
Types of Eye Trauma:
- Corneal scratches or ulcers: Damage to the surface of the eye
- Proptosis: Eyeball displaced from socket (more common in flat-faced breeds)
- Penetrating injuries: Objects that have punctured the eye
- Chemical burns: From exposure to household cleaners, pool chemicals, etc.
- Blunt trauma: From fights, falls, or accidents
- Eyelid lacerations: Cuts or tears to the eyelid
Signs of Serious Eye Trauma:
- Visible injury to the eye or surrounding area
- Bleeding in or around the eye
- Swollen, protruding, or sunken eye
- Change in eye colour or appearance
- Cloudiness or haziness
- Visible foreign body
- Extreme sensitivity to light
- Significant squinting or inability to open eye
Emergency First Aid:
- For chemical exposure: Flush immediately with clean, lukewarm water or sterile eye wash for 10-15 minutes.
- For protruding eyeball: Keep moist with a clean, damp cloth and seek emergency care.
- For cuts near the eye: Apply gentle pressure with clean gauze to control bleeding.
- For embedded objects: Do NOT remove; stabilise and seek emergency care.
- For all eye injuries: Prevent rubbing or scratching (consider an e-collar if available).
CRITICAL - SEEK VET CARE
All significant eye injuries are emergencies. Contact your veterinarian or emergency clinic immediately. Even minor appearing injuries can rapidly worsen and potentially lead to blindness if not properly treated.