Managing eye injuries

The existing referral system should be used, ensuring that patients are referred to a secondary or tertiary level facility that has doctors with the skills (and equipment) to handle eye injuries appropriately. Talk to patients about their injury and the reason for the referral (see article on page 50). Write down the most important information if possible. Check that the patient and her or his accompanying person know where to go, and how urgently. Clean as much blood and debris as is possible from around the injured area, even if referring immediately.