What is eye injuries?
In short
- Something in the eye, a chemical splash or a knock. Minor injuries often settle in a day. Some need A&E straight away.
- Pain, watering, redness and a feeling of something in the eye.
- Go to A&E or call 999 if a strong chemical such as oven cleaner or bleach is in the eye, a sharp object has pierced it, something hit it at high speed, your sight changes, there is severe pain, headache or light sensitivity, you feel or are sick, you cannot move or keep the eye open, or blood or pus is coming from it.
Also called: Eye trauma, Foreign body in the eye
- Part of the eye
- Accidents and first aid
- Group
- Common conditions
- Vision functions involved
- Light and glare, Contrast and detail
- Main source
- NHS
Most eye injuries are minor: shampoo, dust or a fleck of grit which washes out and settles within a day. A few need emergency care because the eye can be damaged permanently in minutes. The first aid is the same for most of them: lots of clean water, and no rubbing.
How eye injuries can affect day-to-day life
You may recognise some of these situations, or none of them. The point is to find help with the things you want to do.
Grit or dust in the eye
Stinging, watering and blinking which will not stop.
Rinse with clean water for 20 minutes. If it is not better after a day, get an urgent GP appointment or call 111.
A splash of cleaning product
Burning pain and blurred sight within seconds.
Rinse at once and keep rinsing. For strong chemicals go to A&E or call 999 and take the bottle.
A ball or elbow to the eye
Bruising, pain and sometimes blurred or double vision.
Something hitting the eye at high speed, any change in sight or feeling sick means A&E. Otherwise rest, painkillers and 111 if it is not better in 24 hours.
Changes you may notice
- Pain, watering, redness and a feeling of something in the eye.
- After an injury: any change in sight, severe pain, light sensitivity, feeling sick, or not being able to open or move the eye. These need A&E.
Everyone is different. Symptoms on their own cannot identify a condition.
What to do about a new or sudden changeAssessment and care
Go to A&E or call 999 if a strong chemical such as oven cleaner or bleach is in the eye, a sharp object has pierced it, something hit it at high speed, your sight changes, there is severe pain, headache or light sensitivity, you feel or are sick, you cannot move or keep the eye open, or blood or pus is coming from it. Do not drive yourself. Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if an injury is not better after 24 hours, is very painful, or you are worried about a child. Always call 111 for a child under 5.
How vision is affected
These topics explain the parts of vision involved. They do not predict your sight, diagnose anything or show the condition itself.
Light and glare
Glare can be uncomfortable and can wash out detail. Where the light comes from matters as much as how much light there is.
Open the light and glare labContrast and detail
Sharp edges only help when they stand out from the background. Contrast, print size and blur each change how easy a task is.
Open the contrast and detail labEveryday support
Run lots of clean water, not hot, over the open eye for at least 20 minutes. Keep the flow gentle. For a chemical, keep rinsing while help comes and take the container with you. Paracetamol or ibuprofen ease the pain. Do not try to remove anything which has pierced the eye, do not rub or touch the eye, and leave make-up and contact lenses off until it has healed.
Driving: you must tell DVLA about an eye condition which affects both eyes, or your only seeing eye. Driving and your eyesight
Common questions
How long should I rinse a chemical splash?
At least 20 minutes with clean water which is not hot, holding the eye open with a gentle flow. For strong chemicals such as bleach or oven cleaner, go to A&E or call 999 and keep rinsing while you wait.
Something is still in my eye after rinsing. What now?
If it is not better after 24 hours, is very painful, or you are worried about a child, ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111. Do not rub the eye.
Can I drive myself to A&E?
No. Ask someone to drive you or call 999. Take any medicines you use with you.
A question to take to your appointment
Does this injury need the eye casualty today, and what signs should send me back?Prepare your appointment checklist
Sources and review status
- Written by
- The Omnirx.io team, from the sources above
- Sources checked
- Page updated
- Next review due
- Clinical review
- Not yet. No clinician has endorsed this page.
- Reading level
- About 17 words a sentence, 262 words of guidance
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Cite this page
Glanced (2026) Eye injuries: what the name means, care and support. Omnirx.io team for Medstack Ltd. Available at: https://www.glanced.co.uk/condition/eye-injuries/ (Accessed: ). Source checked 4 October 2026.
Educational information. Follow the advice of your own eye-care team.