special subjects
Work Related Eye Injuries
Treatment of Work Related Eye Injuries
First aid at the worksite Specific treatment depending on the type of injury Basic first aid should be given immediately at the worksite. It includes Protecting the worker from further injury Placing eyedrops that contain an anesthetic into the eye For chemical exposures, liberally flushing ( Chemical burns ) the eye with tap water For eye injury due to a chemical, doctors irrigate the eye without delaying to remove contact lenses or for anything else. Irrigation usually flushes out contact lenses. After first aid is given at the worksite, people with eye injuries are promptly taken to a hospital emergency department. For eye injury due to a chemical, irrigation is usually continued during transport to the hospital, particularly if the chemical was an alkali or Hydrofluoric Acid Exposure . Treatment of specific injuries depends on the type of injury. For example, if orbital compartment syndrome (which causes pressure within the eye to increase) is diagnosed, a surgeon clips a tendon in the outer corner of the eye where the upper and lower eyelids meet (called a lateral canthotomy). This procedure helps reduce the pressure within the eye. Serious injuries (such as a damaged cornea, tears in the eyelid, and orbital compartment syndrome) require evaluation and follow-up with an ophthalmologist. 