If crash glass may have cut your eye, get help fast
Emergency eye wound advice from an ophthalmic trauma surgeon and an ER physician
Broken glass can scratch the surface of the eye. It can also cut all the way through the eye’s outer wall. Doctors call this an open globe injury. It can threaten your sight. On your own, it may be hard to tell apart from a milder cut. [1, 2]
Warning signs include weaker vision and severe pain. Others are a pupil with an odd shape, tissue you can see, or something stuck in the eye. If the eye could have a deep wound, get emergency care immediately. [1, 2]
Shield the eye on the way to the ER
Do not rub or press on the eye. Never try to pull out anything stuck in it. Don’t tape a tight patch over the eye either. A hard shield over the eye can keep anything from pressing on it by accident. Use one only if you have it and can put it on without touching the eye. [1, 2]
Tell the emergency staff that glass may be involved. If you feel sick to your stomach or are throwing up, tell them. Straining can put more pressure on the hurt eye. [1, 2]
What the exam will involve
The team checks your vision and looks for signs that the wound goes all the way through. A scan may help find a piece of glass or show the extent of the injury. If an open wound is suspected, they skip some routine eye tests that press on the eyeball. An ophthalmologist, a medical eye doctor, decides if you need surgery and how to prevent infection. Mention any past eye surgery and when you last had a tetanus shot. [1, 2]
Keep every checkup after the repair
Even after a repair, checkups matter. They watch for infection, pressure changes, problems with the retina and how your vision recovers. Before you leave, ask when your next appointment is. Get a clear list of the signs that should bring you back. A new drop in vision or pain that keeps building is urgent. [1, 2]
What to ask the eye team
- Is the wall of my eye intact?
- Could any glass still be inside my eye?
- What changes mean I need to come back right away?
Stop checking the eye yourself
If the cut could be deep, stop looking at the eye on your own. Get emergency help instead. [1]
Sources and further reading
- 1American Academy of Ophthalmology, penetrating eye injuries
- 2American Academy of Ophthalmology, initial eye trauma care
For general education from ophthalmic trauma care and emergency medicine. An eye wound that may go all the way through is an emergency. Don’t press on it, patch it tightly, rinse it deeply or try to remove anything stuck in it.
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