What is included in the basic care of an eye injury?

In situations involving an eye injury, the proper care is paramount to protect vision and prevent further damage. One of the essential steps in managing an eye injury is the placement of a rigid eye shield over the injured eye. This is crucial as it helps to protect the eye from additional trauma, shields it from foreign objects, and minimizes movement, which can exacerbate the injury. The use of a rigid shield is particularly important in more severe cases, such as with penetrating injuries or lacerations, as it stabilizes the eye and keeps it safe during transport to a medical facility.

While cooling the eye, applying ointments, or removing contact lenses might be considerations in specific situations, they do not constitute the fundamental protective measure that a rigid shield provides in the context of serious eye injuries. Therefore, the placement of a rigid eye shield on the injured eye is the most appropriate and critical step in the basic care of an eye injury.