Eye, Ear Emergencies

Caution:
Do not touch or attempt to remove anything embedded in the eye. If the object is large, such as a pen, place a paper cup over the eye so that it supports the object; you may need to punch a hole in the cup. Tape the cup in place. Cover the victim's other eye with a clean cloth to help keep the injured eye from moving. If the object is small, cover both eyes with a clean cloth and loosely tie it in place.

1. Wash your hands with soap and water.
2. Look for the object. Ask the victim to slowly roll his eyes as you look for the object.
3. Cause tears to form in the eye. If you see the object, gently pull the upper eyelid down over the lower eyelid. This will cause tears, which may wash the object out.
4. Remove a visible object. If the object does not wash out with tears, flush it out with running water or lift it off with a clean, damp cloth. Alternatively, the victim can open his eyes underwater in a bowl of fresh tap water. Once the object is out, the victim should take out any contact lenses.
5. Remove an object from the lower eyelid. If you see the object on the lower eyelid, flush it out with water or lift it off with a clean, damp cloth. Once the object is out, the victim should take out any contact lenses.
6. Remove an object off the upper eyelid. If you do not see the object on the eye or inside the lower eyelid, lift the victim's upper eyelid. If you see the object on the upper eyelid, flush it out with water or lift it off with a clean, damp cloth. Once the object is out of the eye, flip the upper eyelid back into place. The victim should now take out any contact lenses.
7. If necessary, cover both eyes and get medical help. If you cannot find or remove the object, or if the victim is in pain or has difficulty seeing after you've removed the object, cover both eyes with a clean cloth and tie it in place. Take the victim to the nearest hospital.

Chemical in The Eye
Caution: Do not waste any time to begin flushing the eye, and make sure that water is getting underneath both eyelids. Do not put anything other than water in the eye. Do not let the victim rub his eye.

1. Flush the eye with water. See the illustration at right. If you cannot get the victim to a faucet, keep flushing the eye with glasses of water for 15 minutes, making sure that the water flows across the eye away from the inner corner.
2. Ask the victim to remove his contact lenses, if he is wearing any.
3. Cover the eye. After flushing the eye, cover it with a clean cotton cloth. Then tie a bandage over both eyes; this will help inhibit movement of the affected eye.
4. Identify, if you can, the chemical that caused the burn. At a minimum, be prepared to tell emergency medical personnel whether the chemical was wet or dry.

Additional Resources:

• Eye & Ear Hospital Services, Australia: Teaching, training and research hospital specialising in eye, ear, nose and throat medicine
• Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary: Emergency and Trauma Eye Care

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