Eye Injury: First Aid for Minor Cuts
Overview
Here are steps to take to clean a minor cut near the eye.
- Stop the bleeding
- Wear medical gloves, or if gloves are not available, use a clean cloth or plastic bag or cleanest material available.
- Apply light pressure to a very minor skin cut near the eye to stop the bleeding.
Do not apply any pressure to the eyeball.
- Clean the cut.
- Wash your hands and wear gloves if they are available.
- Wash the cut under running tap water and use a washcloth to remove all the dirt, debris, and bacteria from the wound.
- Bandage the cut.
- Use a sterile bandage if you have one.
- If you don't have one, use a clean bandage or cloth.
- Don't use fluffy cotton bandages around the eye. They could come apart and stick to the eye.
- Decide if more care is needed.
- If the cut is more than very minor or if you are concerned, have the cut evaluated by a health professional.
- A small cut on the inner eyelid may damage tear ducts and should be evaluated.
Credits
Current as of:
July 10, 2023
Author:
Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Current as of: July 10, 2023
Author:
Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
