Illness name: eye injuries

  • Original languages: English

Description:

Eye injuries

Minor eye injuries, such as shampoo or dust in your eye, often get better on their own within a day. Get medical help if you have a chemical in your eye or something pierces it.

Immediate action required: Go to A&E or call 999 if:

  • a strong chemical, such as oven cleaner or bleach, is in your eye – keep rinsing your eye with water while waiting for medical help
  • a sharp object has pierced your eye
  • something has hit your eye at high speed – for example, while using power tools or mowing the lawn
  • there are any changes to your sight after an eye injury
  • you have a headache, high temperature or sensitivity to light
  • you're feeling sick or being sick after an eye injury
  • you cannot move your eye or keep it open
  • blood or pus is coming from your eye
Find your nearest A&E

How to treat an eye injury at home

Do

  • wash your eye with clean water if there's something in it

  • follow the advice on the packaging if any cosmetics or household products get in your eyes

  • take painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen to help ease any pain or discomfort

Don’t

  • do not try to remove any object that's pierced your eye

  • do not touch or rub your eye until it's better

  • do not wear make-up around your eye until it's better

  • do not wear contact lenses until your eye is better

How to wash your eye

You should:

  • use clean water (not hot) – this can be from a tap, shower, or bottled water if you're not at home
  • hold your eye open
  • run lots of water over your eyeball for at least 20 minutes

Make sure the flow of water is not too strong.

Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

  • you've injured your eye and it is not getting better after 24 hours
  • you're worried about an eye injury

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online .

You could also visit an opticians for advice.

Other eye injuries

There is separate information about:

  • what to do if you have a black eye
  • what to do if you have a red eye

Page last reviewed: 07 June 2022
Next review due: 07 June 2025