What should be done if there is a severe eye injury?

In the case of a severe eye injury, limiting eye movement by covering both eyes is critical because it helps to prevent further damage and reduces discomfort. When an eye injury occurs, the eyes can be extremely sensitive, and movement can exacerbate the situation, leading to complications such as increased bleeding or damage to the structures within the eye. By covering both eyes, you minimize the risk of inadvertently causing more harm and encourage the patient to remain still until proper medical assistance can be obtained.

Covering both eyes also helps to stabilize the injured eye as it prevents the uninjured eye from moving independently and triggering movement in the affected eye, which is essential when transport to a medical facility is necessary. This approach prioritizes the integrity of the eye that has been injured, allowing medical professionals to evaluate and treat the injury without the complications of additional trauma.

Other options, such as allowing the patient to touch the eye area or applying a warm compress, could introduce contaminants to the injury site or increase pain and swelling, which is why they are not advisable. Quickly rinsing with water might seem beneficial in cases where chemicals are involved, but for severe injuries, the best practice is to stabilize the situation rather than attempt to rinse immediately.