Son has poked himself in the eye

[DavetheCat2001]

DS (7) has managed to poke himself quite hard in his left eye. I was in the kitchen making dinner and he came in crying and panicking.

I've tried to have a look at it, but he is reluctant to open it. I did manage to see that the outer corner where he says he poke it looks a bit red.

I have poked my own eyes before and know how painful it is.

He is currently holding a pad soaked in cold water over it.

Should I be taking him to A&E or should I just wait and see? Would eye drops (Optrex etc) help?

Any suggestions much appreciated.

What did he poke it with?

I'd let him sit quietly and calm down for a bit, then see if you can have a better look at it. Highly unlikely that he's done any serious damage, but hard to tell just after he's done it and is panicking!

His finger/nail apparently.

He is calm now, but doesn't want me to look at it. I managed to get him to open his eye briefly, but not long enough for me to have a look. He says it feels scratch and sore. I know how painful it is when you poke your eye

Just been reading that you can have a Corneal abrasion which needs drops. I don't want to unnecessarily drag him down to A&E/waste their precious time however.

Yes you do need it looked at
I had a corneal abrasion and you should get it seen to.

Ok thanks.

Did you get given drops for it?

He claims that it is feeling a bit better now. Would you advise A&E or trying to get a GP appointment tomorrow?

Ring 111 and ask their advice

Thanks all.

Sometimes with my two, I find that (gently) explaining that if they won't let me look at , we'll have to ask a doctor to take a look.

They're not scared of doctors, so it's not a threat per se, but they usually let me look after that.

Hth.

if he can keep it open and isn't in the least bit light sensitive then I wouldn't worry too much

if it's watering like crazy and hard for him to keep his eye (or eyes) open then a jaunt to MI if you can bear it tonight, or your local friendly optometrist first thing

It seems much better now. He has it fully open and it doesn't look too red, just a bit in the outer corner. He says it isn't hurting anymore.

I gave him some Calpol earlier to help with the pain which seems to have helped. Will check it again in the morning and see how it is then.

Thanks sgain.