Natural Vision Improvement V1.1

 
[17.0] EMERGENCIES

[17.1] What should I do in the case of an eye wound?

All eye injuries are potentially serious. Even superficial grazes cam
lead to scarring of the surface of the eye (cornea) or infection
with possible deterioration of eyesight amd even blindness.

Symptons and Signs:

+ partial or total loss of vision of the affected eye, even
with no visible injury.

+ pain, eyelid spasm and watering of the eye.

+loss of blood or clear fluid from the eye wound, possibly with
flattening of the eyeball.

Aim: Proctect the eye and seek medical aid.

Treatement:

1 Help the casualty into the most comfortable position. Support the
head and advise the to keep as still as possible. DO NOT attempt to
remove _embedded_ foreign bodies.

2 Ask the casualty to close the injured eye and gently cover it with
an eye pad or a sterile unmedicated dressing. Secure the pad lightly
in position with bandage or adhesive tape.

3 Advise the casualty to keep the sound eye still because
movement will cause the injured eye to move.

4 Transfer to hospital by ambulance maintaining the treatment
position.


[17.2] What should I do in case of chemical burns to the eye?

Corrosive chemicals, both liquid and solid can easily enter the eye
and rapidly damage its surface causing severe scarring and even
blindness.

Aim: Wash the chemicals away as quickly as possible and transfer to
hospital.

Symptoms and Signs:

+ Intense pain in the affected eye.

+ Damaged cannot tolerate light.

+ Affected eye may be tightly closed.

+ The eye may be reddened, swollen or watering excessively.

Treatement: 1 Hold the affected side of the casualties face under
gently running water for at leat 10-15 minutes so that cold water
drains away from the face. Alternatively let the casualty put the
affect side of the face in a bowl of cold water and ask the casualty to
blink.

NB check that both surfaces of the eyelids have been well
irrigated. If the eye is shut in a spasm of pain, you may have to pull
the lids firmly. but gently, open.

If this is not possible, sit or lay the casualty down with the head
tilted back and turned towards the affected side. Protect the
uninjured eye, gently pour sterile water or saline over it. If these
solutions are not availlable, use a cup of tap water.

2 Lightly dress the eye with a sterile eye pad, or if this is not
availlable, a pad of clean, non-fluffy material.

3 Transfer to hospital immediately.


[17.3] What should I do in the case of foreign bodies in the eye?

All eye injuries are potentially serious because particles may
perforate the eyball resulting in internal damage and possible
infection. Particles of dust or grit or loose eyelashes are the most
common foreign bodies found in the eyes. They stick to the outer
surface of the eyeball or become lodged under the eyelid, normally
the upper lid, causing considerable discomfort and imflamation. In
most cases these can be removed. However DO NOT attempt to remove a
foreign body if it is on the coloured part of the eye, or embedded in
the eyeball. In these cases seek medical aid immediately.

Symptomps and Signs:

+ Casualty's eye is painfull and itches.

+ Casualty's vision may be impaired.

+ Watering of affected eye.

+ Casualty's eye is red.

Aim: Remove particle gently. If unsuccessful, transfer the
casualty to hospital.

NOTE: CONTACT LENSES

Many people now wear contact lenses instead of glasses and
occasinally these cause extra problems in an an emergency. If
conscious, help the casualty to remove them, and place them
safely in their container and ensure they remain with the
casualty. Never try to remove lenses from a casualty's eye
yourself. If a casualty is know to be wearing lenses, report this to
the ambulance officer, nurse or doctor attending the incident.

Treatment:

1 Advise the casualty NOT to rub the eye (the casualty will
almost certainly be doing so).

2 Ask the casualty to sit in a chair facing the light and lean
back.

3 Stand behind the casualty. Hold the chin in one hand and use the
index finger and the thumb of your other hand to separate the affected
lids. Ask the casualty to look right, left up and down so that you
can examine every part of the eye properly.

4 If you can see the foreign body try to wash it out with sterile
saline solution. If this is not availlable, irrigate the eye with
tap water. Incline the head towards the injured side so that the water
will drain out over the cheek away from teh sound eye; pour water from
a jug or place the casualties head under a tap.

5 If this is unsuccessful or no water is availlbale and the
foreign body is not sticking to the eye, lift the foreing body off
using a moistened swab or the damp corner of a clean
handkercheif.

6 If the foreign body is under the upper lid, ask the casualy to look
down. Grasp the eyelashes and pull the upper lid downwards and
outwards over the lower lid. If the lashes of the lower lid do not
brush the foreign body off, get the casualty to blink under water in
the hope that it will float off.

7 If you cannot remove the foreign body, cover the affected eye with
an eye pad or a piece of gauze wrapped around a soft pad of cotton
wool. Secure it lightly in place and seek mdeical aid.

If the foreign body is on the coloured part of the eye or is
imbedded in or sticking to the eyeball DO NO ATTEMPT TO REMOVE IT.
Cover it with an eye pad. Transfer to hospital for treatment.


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