Be Careful with Fishing Hooks!
What are foreign bodies?
Foreign bodies refer to any objects that are in the eye that are not meant to be there. The foreign object may be in the conjunctiva (a thin membrane that covers the actual eye) or in the cornea (the clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye).
The picture below of a hook embedded in a persons eye through the cornea, looks gruesome, definately painful and could result in serious permanent eye damage and visual complications.
What do I do if I see this happen ?
First aid for a fish hook in an eye
Inability to remove a fish hook
Because the cornea is the most anterior structure in the eye, it's susceptible to insult in many forms—abrasions and lacerations, embedded foreign bodies (eg. metal filings, wood splinters) , and burns resulting from a variety of sources. The cornea has a paradoxical role in trauma. It takes a great deal of punishment, protecting the more delicate ocular structures within the eye.
Injury can cause structural changes to the cornea.
The most common are corneal abrasions caused by sand particles ( foreign bodies), fingernails, paper sheets which normal heal without any permanent damage . Corneal penetration below a certain level will result into permanent scars which dramatically could affect sight if centrally located.
rusty corneal foreign body
If a foreign body is seen in the eye, it may be removed with a small cotton applicator or by washing the eye out with saline (sterile saltwater).
If a corneal abrasion (a scratch or injury to the cornea) is detected, treatment may include:
If penetration goes in deep into the eye and affects the lens it can result in a traumatic cataract (cloudiness of the lens due injury) or even dislocation of the lens.
Penetrations and Laceration require immediate emergency care even if pain has subsided and nothing can be seen, since the cornea can become desensitized and the object could have penetrated deep into the eye and result in internal damage and depending on the nature of the material can result in infection.
What are foreign bodies?
Foreign bodies refer to any objects that are in the eye that are not meant to be there. The foreign object may be in the conjunctiva (a thin membrane that covers the actual eye) or in the cornea (the clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye).
The picture below of a hook embedded in a persons eye through the cornea, looks gruesome, definately painful and could result in serious permanent eye damage and visual complications.
What do I do if I see this happen ?
First aid for a fish hook in an eye
Do the following and then seek emergency care:
- Do not try to remove a fish hook from an eye, eyelid, or near an eye.[/*]
- Do not put pressure on the eye.[/*]
- Cover the eye and fish hook with a metal patch, a cup, or even a paper cup.
- Covering the eye prevents motion of the hook.[/*]
- Be very careful not to put pressure on the hook or the eye.[/*]
- If possible, cover the uninjured eye. The injured eye will move less if the uninjured eye is covered. This may prevent further damage to the injured eye.[/*]
Inability to remove a fish hook
Do not attempt to remove a fish hook (seek care instead) if any of the following is true:
- The fish hook is in or near an eye. See First aid (above)[/*]
- The fish hook appears to be in or around a joint, in a bone, or deep in a muscle. [/*]
- You are concerned that removing the fish hook may damage nearby blood vessels or nerves.[/*]
- The person who is injured is uncooperative.[/*]
- You are afraid to remove the fish hook.[/*]
Because the cornea is the most anterior structure in the eye, it's susceptible to insult in many forms—abrasions and lacerations, embedded foreign bodies (eg. metal filings, wood splinters) , and burns resulting from a variety of sources. The cornea has a paradoxical role in trauma. It takes a great deal of punishment, protecting the more delicate ocular structures within the eye.
Injury can cause structural changes to the cornea.
The most common are corneal abrasions caused by sand particles ( foreign bodies), fingernails, paper sheets which normal heal without any permanent damage . Corneal penetration below a certain level will result into permanent scars which dramatically could affect sight if centrally located.
rusty corneal foreign body
If a foreign body is seen in the eye, it may be removed with a small cotton applicator or by washing the eye out with saline (sterile saltwater).
If a corneal abrasion (a scratch or injury to the cornea) is detected, treatment may include:
[*]A patch over the eye may be used to help decrease level of discomfort. A patch is usually required for 12 to 24 hours. [/*] [*]Close follow-up with your doctor / eyecare practitioner is needed to assure that the abrasion heals completely. [/*] [*]Severe abrasions or cuts into the cornea will be managed by an eye specialist because of the increased risk of damage to the eye. [/*] [*]An antibiotic ointment may be placed in the eye. [/*]
If penetration goes in deep into the eye and affects the lens it can result in a traumatic cataract (cloudiness of the lens due injury) or even dislocation of the lens.
Penetrations and Laceration require immediate emergency care even if pain has subsided and nothing can be seen, since the cornea can become desensitized and the object could have penetrated deep into the eye and result in internal damage and depending on the nature of the material can result in infection.
You must've been really afraid of her at the time! Lol...