Corneal trauma is one of the main reasons for emergency room visits to ophthalmologists. "Sunday" do-it-yourselfers and gardeners generally do not protect their eyes before working and are the first to be affected by corneal trauma. There are also those who ski down slopes without glasses, those who get punched in the face, and the careless who uncork a champagne bottle, paintball incidents... so many situations that cause eye trauma and damage the cornea.
Symptoms of corneal trauma
Pain is often immediate and very intense, which is usually what alerts the individual and leads them to the hospital or a doctor. However, the pain can sometimes appear several hours later, often at night, as in the case of UV burns. In such cases, it is important to go to the nearest university hospital to get an accurate medical opinion and be treated by an ophthalmology expert.
Preventing corneal trauma
To protect your cornea, your eyes, and also your vision, there are simple steps you can take, such as wearing safety glasses or DIY glasses when doing your activities. These safety glasses are available as prescription glasses, sunglasses, and non-prescription glasses. For those who ski, there are sunglasses, preferably with polarized lenses. For a solar eclipse, there are special category 14 lenses that protect your eyes.
Different treatments for corneal trauma
If it's a "classic" foreign body; dust, grain of sand... Simply rinse your eyes with cold water.
If it's a chemical splash, you must rinse the eye with saline solution for at least 15 minutes, then consult an ophthalmologist afterwards, even if you don't feel any pain.
After a physical burn, do not do anything on your own; you must immediately go to the university hospital to be taken care of by an expert.
If you have just received a blow (punch) do not rinse or touch the eye; close it and also go to see a doctor.
In the most serious cases, corneal transplantation is an option!
