Most eye injuries are not serious, and will heal within 24 to 72 hours without any lasting damage. But complications sometimes occur, such as:
- infection
- recurring eye injuries
- worsening symptoms
These complications are briefly discussed below.
Infection
Although infections following an eye injury are rare, they can be serious and severe, and will need to be treated with antibiotics.
Recurring eye injuries
In some cases, your eye may become injured again following an initial injury. This usually occurs at night when your eyes are less moistened by tears.
If your eye is dry, the outer layer of your cornea (epithelium) can disconnect from the rest of your eye.
Worsening symptoms
Sometimes, the symptoms of an eye injury can get worse.
For example, a foreign body that is stuck in your eye, such as grit, may start to penetrate or embed itself into your cornea (the transparent layer at the front of your eye).
It is also possible for a bruise to form in your eye, or for a foreign body to damage your eyelid. This is why it so important to seek immediate medical attention if you have an eye injury.
