The human eye, intricate in its design and a marvel in its function, is an organ without peer in our ability to perceive our environment. Bilaterally paired, our eyes enable us to see in stereoscopic vision giving us both depth perception and a wide field of view. Different types of light-sensitive cells allow us to perceive color and form in a wide range of light intensities from very light to virtual darkness.

As a general rule, we have very few eye injuries. But when they do occur, they may be very serious; and without proper treatment, an eye injury may result in a permanent disability.

Trauma is probably the most common form of injury to the eye that we see. This also includes the facial area around the eyes since tissue damage and/or skeletal fractures around the eye may also result in loss of use of the affected eye. A person with orbital (eye socket) fractures may complain of double vision and have a loss of sensation above the eyebrow and over the cheek due to nerve damage. With this type of injury, ice packs may be used over the traumatized area to diminish swelling if there is not injury to the eye (globe) itself.

With injuries to the eyelids including trauma, burns, and lacerations, there is little that can be done in the field other than gentle irrigation and patching.