What can you do if an eye injury occurs?

When an eye injury occurs, seek medical help from an ophthalmologist or another doctor as soon as possible — even if the injury seems minor. Delaying care could lead to permanent vision loss or blindness.

In addition, take simple steps to prevent further damage. For example:

• Don't touch, rub or apply pressure to the eye
• Don't try to remove an object that appears stuck on the surface of the eye or an object that appears to have penetrated the eye
• Don't apply ointment or medication to the eye
• Flush out any chemicals the eye has been exposed to with plenty of clean water
• Gently place a shield or gauze patch over the eye until you can get medical attention

An accident can happen in the blink of an eye. Being prepared — both through prevention and quick action in case of an emergency — can help keep you and your loved ones seeing clearly.