How should you handle a patient with an object impaled in their eye?

When handling a patient with an object impaled in their eye, the most appropriate action is to cover the unaffected eye and stabilize the patient. This approach serves two critical purposes: it helps reduce the risk of further injury to the affected eye and prevents the patient from moving the impaled object, which could cause additional damage to surrounding tissues or worsen the injury.

By covering the unaffected eye, you are minimizing the chances of the patient moving their eyes due to visual stimulus, which can inadvertently cause more harm. Stabilizing the patient is also essential in preparing for emergency medical assistance, ensuring that they are kept calm and still until professional help can take over.

Other methods, such as removing the object or applying pressure to the impacted area, can lead to severe complications, including increased bleeding or extruding foreign material deeper into the eye. Making the patient lie flat might not be the best strategy as it could lead to changes in pressure that could worsen the situation. Hence, the focus is on stabilization and protection of the affected area while awaiting medical help.