Getting hit in the eye with a ball is common, especially during sports or recreational activities. This blunt trauma can range from a minor inconvenience to a serious injury requiring immediate medical attention. Understanding the proper response steps can help reduce potential damage and preserve vision.
Immediate Response and First Aid
If you or someone else has been hit in the eye with a ball, remaining calm is the first step. Gently apply a cold compress, such as an ice pack wrapped in a cloth, to the affected area to help reduce swelling and manage pain. Avoid applying direct pressure to the eyeball itself. Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can also be taken for discomfort.
Resist the urge to rub the injured eye, as this can worsen conditions like a corneal abrasion or cause further internal damage. After the initial 24 hours, switching to a warm compress may help resolve bruising more quickly. Even if the injury seems minor, careful observation and initial care are important.
Recognizing Potential Eye Injuries
Blunt force trauma to the eye can lead to several types of injuries, each with distinct signs. A “black eye,” medically known as a periorbital hematoma, is common and results from bleeding under the skin around the eye, causing bruising and swelling. A subconjunctival hemorrhage appears as a bright red spot on the white part of the eye due to a broken blood vessel.
Less outwardly obvious but more serious is a corneal abrasion, a scratch on the eye’s clear outer surface, which can cause pain, redness, and light sensitivity. Internal bleeding within the front part of the eye, called a hyphema, appears as a pooling of blood between the cornea and the iris. More severe injuries include retinal detachment, where the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye pulls away, and orbital fractures, which are breaks in the bones surrounding the eye.
When to Seek Professional Medical Care
Certain symptoms following an eye impact should prompt immediate medical evaluation. Persistent or severe eye pain, especially if it worsens, requires professional help. Any changes in vision, such as blurriness, double vision, partial or complete loss of sight, or the sudden appearance of flashes of light or numerous new floaters, require urgent attention. These visual disturbances can suggest serious internal damage like a retinal detachment.
Other warning signs include persistent redness, an unusual pupil size or shape, or difficulty moving the eye. If there is any blood visible in the clear part of the eye, or if you feel a foreign object sensation that blinking and tears cannot resolve, a medical examination is needed. Even if initial symptoms seem mild, an eye care professional can assess for underlying damage not immediately apparent, as some injuries, like glaucoma from blunt trauma, can manifest years later.
Preventing Eye Injuries
Proactive measures can reduce the risk of eye injuries from balls. Wearing appropriate protective eyewear is recommended for sports and recreational activities involving balls. This includes sports goggles designed to withstand impact, offering a physical barrier against fast-moving projectiles. Such eyewear is important in sports like baseball, basketball, and racquet sports, where eye injuries are common.
Ensuring sports equipment is in good condition and used correctly also contributes to safety. Maintaining awareness of your surroundings during play can help you anticipate potential impacts and react accordingly. These preventative strategies are effective in safeguarding vision against blunt force trauma from balls.