Eye Injuries (Children)

In this article

• Call 911 or Go to an Urgent Care Center if the Child Has:
• Call the Doctor if Your Child:
• Treating a Child's Minor Eye Irritation
• 1. Clean Up
• 2. Stop Rubbing
• 3. Rinse the Eye
• Treating an Object Stuck in the Eye
• 1. Protect the Eye
• 2. Go to the Emergency Room
• Treating a Minor Cut or Scratch Around the Eye
• 1. Stop the Bleeding
• 2. Clean the Injury
• 3. Protect the Wound
• 4. Provide Pain Relief
• Treating a Black Eye, Bruising, or Swelling
• 1. Check for Further Injury
• 2. Apply Cold 
• 3. Apply Heat
• 4. Provide Pain Relief
• Treating Chemical Exposure
• 1. Clean Up
• 2. Prevent Rubbing
• 3. Immediately Rinse the Eye
• 4. Go to the Emergency Room

4. Provide Pain Relief

• Give child-formula acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for pain, if needed.
• Do not give aspirin to a child under 16 years of age.

Treating a Black Eye, Bruising, or Swelling

1. Check for Further Injury

• If you suspect broken bones, damage to the eye, or a head injury, take the child to the emergency room.
• If the black eye was caused by something hitting the eye, call your pediatrician.

2. Apply Cold 

• Put an ice pack on the area for 20 minutes each hour to lessen swelling. Repeat for four hours. Don't press on the eye.

3. Apply Heat

• After 2 days, switch to a warm cloth on the area for 10 minutes, three times daily.

4. Provide Pain Relief

• Give child-formula acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) for pain, if needed.
• Do not give aspirin to a child who is under age 16.

Treating Chemical Exposure

1. Clean Up

• Wash your hands.

2. Prevent Rubbing

• Keep the child from rubbing the affected eye.

3. Immediately Rinse the Eye

• Hold the child's head over a sink, facing down and to the side, and hold the eye open. If outside, use whatever water is closest -- water fountain, garden hose.
• Pour water over the eye for 15 to 20 minutes.
• If the chemical is in both eyes, rinse them in the shower.

4. Go to the Emergency Room