If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Do not rub the eye or try to pull out anything stuck in it.
- 2Chemical in the eye: rinse with clean running water or an eyewash station for a long time, holding the eyelid open, and call 911.
- 3Object stuck in the eye, or a hard hit: keep still, cover the eye loosely with a cup or shield without pressing, and call 911 or go to emergency care.
- 4Dust or a small particle: blink and let tears or clean water rinse it. If it does not clear quickly, or vision is blurry, get it checked the same day.
- 5Tell your supervisor and report it in writing, with the task and tool.
- 6Note what you were doing (grinding, cutting, hammering, trimming, working under a vehicle), and what eye protection you wore.
- 7If you wear contact lenses and your eye is irritated, remove them only if you can do so without rubbing; otherwise let a clinician help.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
Eye injuries are common in construction, manufacturing, landscaping and auto repair from grinding sparks, metal shavings, wood chips, concrete, debris thrown by trimmers, or fluids dripping from under a vehicle. Some injuries seem minor at first but get worse over a day as the eye becomes red, painful or sensitive to light. A metal fragment from grinding can stick to the eye and leave a rust ring if it stays; wood and plant debris can carry dirt; and fluids under a vehicle can splash when a drain plug or line comes loose.
Your report should say what flew into your eye, what tool or task caused it, and what protection you had. If eye protection was not available, or a guard on a grinder was missing, note it. Note whether you wore safety glasses, goggles or a face shield, and whether they had side protection or had fogged and been pushed up.
Reporting and filing deadlines are set by each state and can differ a lot. Report even small eye injuries in case they need follow-up. A quick call to your state's workers' compensation agency can clear up the timing. If symptoms started later that night, report the next morning and explain the timeline.
Keep your report, emergency or clinic records, and notes on any vision changes. If you are given eye drops or a patch, note the dates and any time off work.
Getting medical care
A licensed clinician can examine your eye and decide what care fits, which may include referral to an eye specialist. Prompt evaluation is important; some eye injuries need same-day care. Tell the clinician what flew in (metal, wood, concrete, a chemical or fluid) and how fast it was traveling, such as from a grinder wheel versus falling dust. That can help them decide how to examine the eye.
Tell the clinician the injury happened at work and what you were doing. Some states and employers have rules about which provider you see first for non-emergency care, so ask your supervisor or the adjuster. If you are sent to an eye specialist, ask the adjuster how the referral is approved so you are not left waiting.
If eye drops or other medication are prescribed, ask the pharmacy and adjuster how work-injury prescriptions are handled. Home delivery can help if you cannot drive.
Prescribed medication? Learn about prescription home delivery, common medications after work injuries, or find pharmacies near you. Your doctor and pharmacist decide what is right for you.
When people often talk to an attorney
- You have lasting vision changes or loss.
- Eye protection was not provided, or a tool's guard was missing.
- Another company's work, such as a contractor grinding nearby, caused the injury.
- Specialist care is delayed or denied.
- You cannot return to your job because of vision problems.
- Your claim is denied because you were not wearing safety glasses.
Learn more: what a workers' comp attorney does. Many offer a free first consultation; fees in workers' comp are often regulated by the state.
Recovery and going back to work
Follow your clinician's instructions, use any prescribed drops as directed, and keep follow-up appointments. Some eye injuries feel better within a day, while others need several follow-up checks. Go to every one, even if the eye feels normal.
Ask whether you can drive or use tools, and get any restrictions in writing. Share them with your employer. That might include no driving, no grinding, or no work in dusty areas for a while.
Before returning, ask about eye protection that fits your task and your face. Stay in touch with your adjuster. If you need prescription safety glasses, ask how they are provided.
Questions to ask
- Where is the nearest eyewash station, and is it working?
- What eye protection is provided for this task?
- Which clinic or eye specialist should I see?
- Doctor, is anything still in my eye?
- When can I drive or use tools again?
- Pharmacist or adjuster, how do I fill work-injury prescriptions, and is home delivery an option?
- Attorney, what if a contractor's work caused my injury?
- Can I get prescription safety glasses or a face shield for this task?
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if something flew into my eye at work?
Do not rub it. Rinse chemicals right away and call 911, and for anything stuck in the eye, cover it loosely and get emergency care. Report it once you have been seen.
Should I try to remove a metal chip from my eye?
No, do not try to remove anything stuck in your eye. Cover it loosely and get emergency care. A clinician can remove it safely.
Is an eye injury at work covered by workers' comp?
It may be, depending on your state and the facts. Eye injuries from work tasks are generally the kind of injury workers' comp addresses. Report it promptly.
My eye feels fine now. Do I still need to get it checked?
If something hit or got stuck in your eye, getting checked is a good idea. Some injuries get worse over a day. Watch for redness, pain or blurry vision.
What if I was not wearing safety glasses?
That may come up, but it does not automatically decide a claim. Rules vary by state. People often consult an attorney if it becomes an issue.
How long should I rinse a chemical out of my eye?
Rinse with clean running water for a long time while you or someone calls 911. Follow the dispatcher's instructions. Do not stop early.
Related situations
Industries where this often happens
Prescriptions.plus is an educational portal. We are not a pharmacy, law firm, medical provider, insurer or claims administrator, and nothing here is medical or legal advice. Educational purposes only. Workers' compensation rules and deadlines vary by state — check with your state's workers' compensation agency. Medical emergency? Call 911. Hurt outside of work? Personal-injury legal help: attorneys.plus (coming soon).