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
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 likeparacetamoloribuprofento 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 orget help from 111 online.
You could also visit an opticians for advice.
Other eye injuries
There is separate information about:
Page last reviewed: 07 June 2022
Next review due: 07 June 2025