Eye Injury at Home: The Common Things Parents Should Never Put in a Child's Eye

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When a child suddenly starts crying, rubbing an eye and saying that something has gone into it, most parents react instinctively. They try to wash it, wipe it or put something soothing into the eye. This is understandable, but some common things used at home can do more harm than good.

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We spoke to Dr Harsha Kandoi, Consultant Ophthalmologist - Oculoplasty, Orbit and Ocular Oncology, KIMS-Arete Hospital, who said that when it comes to an injured eye, less is often more. The priority is to remove the irritant safely, avoid further injury and recognise when the child needs to be examined.

Common Things Parents Should Never Put in a Child's Eye

Do not put breast milk, honey or other home remedies into the eye

These remedies are sometimes recommended because they are considered 'natural' or soothing. But an injured eye is particularly vulnerable to contamination, and substances that have not been prepared specifically for ophthalmic use should not be put into it.

"The same applies to rose water, herbal preparations or other household mixtures. They may irritate the eye further or introduce microorganisms into an already compromised surface," warned Dr Kandoi.

Be careful with eye drops already available at home

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A bottle of eye drops prescribed for another family member should not automatically be used for a child with an eye injury.

"Different drops have very different purposes. Some contain antibiotics, some reduce inflammation, and some contain steroids. Steroid-containing eye drops, in particular, should not be used without an ophthalmologist's advice because they can worsen certain infections and affect healing," said Dr Kandoi.

Even redness-relieving drops are not an appropriate first-aid treatment for an injured eye.

Do not try to remove a stuck object with your fingers or tweezers

If a child has a small particle such as dust or an eyelash in the eye, gentle rinsing may be enough to flush it out. But an object that appears embedded, particularly a sharp object, should never be pulled out at home.

"The temptation is understandable: parents want to make the child comfortable as quickly as possible. But manipulating an embedded object can increase damage to the cornea or, in a penetrating injury, cause much more serious harm. A child with a suspected penetrating injury needs urgent ophthalmic assessment," advised Dr Kandoi.

Do not rub the eye

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This is probably the simplest advice and one of the hardest for a child to follow.

Rubbing can turn a tiny particle into a corneal abrasion. It can also push a foreign body further across the surface of the eye. If the child is able to cooperate, ask them to keep the eye closed until it can be gently rinsed.

For a small, loose particle such as sand or dust, clean water can be used to rinse the eye. If the sensation, watering or blinking continues after washing, the child should be examined rather than repeatedly trying to remove the particle at home.

And if a chemical gets into the eye, do not wait for eye drops

This is one situation where speed matters more than finding the "right" product.

"If a household cleaner, detergent, cosmetic or other chemical splashes into a child's eye, start flushing the eye immediately with plenty of clean running water or saline. Do not try to counteract an acid with an alkaline substance, or vice versa. The chemical needs to be diluted and removed, not neutralised with another chemical," said Dr Kandoi.

Continue rinsing while arranging urgent medical attention. If possible, take the product container or its details with you, as knowing exactly what entered the eye can help guide treatment. Chemical injuries can cause significant damage to the cornea, and the sooner irrigation begins, the better.

When should parents stop treating it as a minor injury?

"Persistent pain, marked redness, sensitivity to light, excessive watering, difficulty opening the eye, reduced or blurred vision, bleeding, swelling after significant trauma or the sensation that something is still stuck in the eye all warrant medical assessment," warned Dr Kandoi.

A high-speed injury, a sharp object or any suspicion that the eyeball itself has been penetrated should be treated as an emergency. Parents should also be particularly cautious with younger children because they may not be able to describe vision changes accurately.

Bottomline

Dr Kandoi concluded, "Most minor eye irritations in children settle with simple measures. The important thing is not to let anxiety lead to unnecessary experimentation. The eye is delicate, and when a child has an eye injury, clean water, restraint from rubbing and timely medical assessment are usually far safer than a cupboard full of home remedies."

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.