Subconjunctival
Following a trauma, the eye appears bloody. The entire view of the sclera (the white part of the eye) may be obstructed by blood. The trauma may be caused by hypertension, heavy lifting, a blunt hit, coughing or straining. Sometimes they occur for no apparent reason. Your doctor may recommend artificial tear drops if mild irritation is present.

Black Eye / Bruises
A black eye can occur when a fall or blow causes bleeding into the tissues beneath the skin. A black eye may result in dramatic swelling. Apply a cold wet cloth to the area for 10 minutes. Have your injured eye checked for internal damage by an ophthalmologist. If your contact lens is broken by the blow, remove the pieces of the lens as soon as possible. Rinsing with water will help. Then call your eye doctor.

Eye Injury
If your eye got a cut or a laceration, do not flush the eye with water or put any medicine in the eye. If you are wearing a contact lens, don't try to remove it. Gently cover the eye with a bandage or gauze pad and go directly to your doctor or to a nearby hospital.

Corrosive Chemicals
For chemicals splashed in your eyes, immediately flush your eyes with cool water for at least 15 minutes. If possible, hold your head under a slowly running faucet. Tilt the head toward the injured side so that the chemical is not washed into the uninjured eye. Keep the eyelids apart with your fingers. If you are wearing contact lenses, remove them immediately. Then flush your eyes. Seek professional attention as soon as possible.

Foreign Objects
Never try to remove anything that is on the cornea of the eye, or that seems to be stuck or embedded in the white of the eye. In such circumstances, do not rub your eyes, but cover both eyes with a soft pad to help stop extra eye movement, and seek professional help immediately. If the foreign object is floating on the white of the eye or on the inside of the eyelid, try to remove it with the corner of a clean soft cloth, handkerchief, or paper tissue. See your eye doctor immediately. If you are wearing contact lenses, remove the lens and clean it thoroughly before putting it back in your eye. If discomfort continues, remove, clean again and re-apply. If discomfort persists, remove the lens and contact your eye doctor.

Vision Loss
Any reduction in your ability to see, including blurring, double vision, and or seeing flashing lights or floating spots should be checked by your eye doctor. Retinal detachment occurs when the retina lifts away from the choroid, (a layer of blood vessels beneath the retina, which provides the retina with nutrients and oxygen). A hole in the retina causes the detachment in most cases. Both eyes may be affected, but rarely at the same time. The only symptoms are abnormalities of vision in the affected eye. The first sign of a detached retina may be flashes of light, which often occur shortly before a hole is formed in the retina. Floating, black, often cobweb-like shapes may be seen when the hole is actually formed. If detachment continues unchecked, the loss of vision spreads. If you experience any of the symptoms described, see your doctor without delay.

Retinal Artery Occlusion
Retinal artery occlusion is caused by a tiny piece of a blood clot or of a fatty deposit that has traveled from a blood vessel elsewhere in the body. The clot cuts off all or part of the retina's blood supply. If the artery is blocked, there is immediate blindness in the eye that is involved. If a branch of the artery is blocked, only part of the vision, usually the upper or lower half, of the eye blacks out. If you suddenly lose all or part of the vision of one eye, you should see your doctor immediately, or go to a hospital emergency room.

The best way to deal with eye injuries is to avoid them in the first place. Always be aware of potential eye hazards and wear appropriate eye protection.