Eye Injuries
When To See a Doctor
You have answered Yes to:
Do you have a cut on or around your eye?
See significance of a cut to the eye if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
Note: If you need a tetanus shot, call your doctor to arrange for the shot as soon as possible.
- Your need for a tetanus shot depends on the seriousness of your wound and your tetanus shot history.
- Your doctor may be able to tell you over the telephone if you need a tetanus shot.
Note:
- See the Home Treatment section of the topic Cuts for first aid measures.
Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Do you have a cut on your eyelid and you think you may have damaged your eye?
Yes Do you have many cuts on your eyelid or around your eye?
Yes Do you have blood over the colored part (iris) of your eye?
Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Do you have a cut near your eye that might need stitches (sutures)? Stitches need to be done within 8 hours of the injury.
Note: A small cut on the inner corner of the eyelid may damage tear ducts and should be checked by a doctor.
Yes Were you cut by something clean and your last tetanus shot was longer than 10 years ago?
Note: Something is clean if it does not have dirt, soil, spit, or feces on it. Examples include a broken water glass, a kitchen knife, or sewing scissors.
Yes Were you cut by something dirty and your last tetanus shot was longer than 5 years ago?
Note: Something is dirty if it has dirt, soil, spit, or feces on it. Examples include a garden tool, a dirty nail, or a piece of glass that has been buried in the dirt.
Yes Are you not sure if you were cut by something clean or dirty and your last tetanus shot was longer than 5 years ago?
Yes Are you not sure when you had your last tetanus shot?
Yes Did you not get the first series of tetanus shots (primary vaccination series)?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: December 6, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Christopher J. Rudnisky, MD, FRCSC - Ophthalmology | |
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