Common Causes Of Eye Injuries

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31121, 26 July 1966, Page 9

Common Causes Of Eye Injuries

A speck of dust, a chip of steel, a stone thrown up from a motor mower, a splash of chemical—these are some of the common causes of eye injuries, says Mr H. W. Burrows, regional organiser for Braille Week, which will last throughout this week. “Sight depends on the continuing transparency of what are called the ‘media’ of the eye—cornea in front, lens behind the pupil and the jelly-like ‘vitreous’ between the lens and retina,” he says. “The retina itself is a complex layer of nerve cells and fibres that is the seeing part of the eye. An injury which impairs the transparency of any of the media or damages the delicate retina leads to loss of sight of greater or less degree. “Those who are exposed to possible injury to their eyes by the nature of their work must by law be provided with proctective goggles. Machines which can throw off particles of metal or dust are screened to protect the workers’ eyes. Pamphlets and lectures help to make workmen conscious of any hazard to their eyes inherent in their particular work.

“The general population on the other hand is inclined to be as careless about this as about risks to life and limb in their ordinary lives. Few people wear goggles while drilling or grinding in the garage at home, and the lethal effect of a chip flying off a cold chisel hit with a hammer is not sufficiently appreciated. Grinding can only cause superficial eye injury but chips of steel can enter the eyt itself,” Mr Burrows says. “The humble speck of dust in an eye will usually be washed out by the tears or an eyebath. If it has been lodged under the upper lid it can be removed by the well-known method of pulling the upper lid down over the lower lid. But if these methods fail, attempts should not be made to remove it (or any small foreign body in the eye) with a sharpened match or any other instrument

“Neither should unskilled help be accepted, because further abrasion to the eye is probable and infection quite likely. A foreign body removed by a doctor after a drop of local anaesthetic and followed by an anti-biotic seldom gives subsequent trouble or results in loss of sight.

“Contusion Injuries are frequent and the causes are legion. A blow on the eye by a blunt object or by a ball or stone ean cause slight or severe damage, and what at first appears to be a slight injury can become serious if untreated. “One of the commonest results of a blunt Injury to the eye is the appearance of a small amount of blood in front of the pupil. This usually absorbs in a few days but because further and much more severe hemorrhage sometimes occurs complete rest In bed is necessary for three to five days after such an injury, preferably under hospital supervision. “A frequent cause of severe contusion injuries and sometimes even more serious injuries to the eye—is a stone thrown up from a motor mower. No-one should be in the vicinity when a rotary mower is being used and a special responsibility rests on parents of young children In this regard. Several eyes are lost each year in this country from this cause, and the victim is usually a child,” he says. “Injuries to the eyelids sometimes occur and these often involve tearing of the tear duct Repair is necessary within 24 hours if a permanently watering eye Is to be avoided, and this repair requires special measures to bring the torn ends of the tear duct together. “Finally, chemical irritants can cause eye damage. Strong alkalis and acids damage the cornea and can leave permanent scarring. In this respect alkalis especially caustic soda are much worse than acids. An acid coagulates the tissues and this forms a partial barrier to further penetration; an alkali penetrates deeply without coagulation and causes much more severe damage. “The treatment of all chemical injuries is initially the same—the nearest water tap within a few seconds is vastly better than the best doctor half an hour later. It is however essential that a doctor be consulted after first aid has been given. “To be effective an antidote must be strong enough to neutralise the damaging chemical and penetrate as quickly and as deeply; it is therefore as damaging as the original chemical itself. Dilution with water as quickly as possible is the best treatment,” says Mr Burrows.