Introduction

The structure of the face and eyes is well suited for protecting the eyes from injury. The eyeball is set into a socket surrounded by a strong, bony ridge. The eyelids can close quickly to form a barrier to foreign objects (see Section 20, Chapter 224), and the eye can tolerate a minor impact without damage.

Even so, injury may damage the eye, sometimes so severely that vision is lost and, in rare instances, the eye must be removed. Most eye injuries are minor, but because of extensive bruising to surrounding structures, they may look worse than they are. Any injury to the eye should be examined by a doctor to determine the extent of injury and the treatment that is needed.