•  
  •  

First Aid for a Fishhook Stuck in an Eye

Topic Overview

Fishhook injuries to the eye are rare. When they occur, they can cause a serious injury, including blindness. Prompt emergency room or ophthalmology care is needed to remove the fishhook, prevent complications, and minimize damage from the fishhook.

Do the following, and then seek emergency care:

  • Do not try to remove a fishhook from an eye, eyelid, or near an eye.
  • Do not put pressure on the eye.
  • Cover the eye and fishhook with a metal patch, a cup, or even a paper cup.
    • Covering the eye prevents the hook from moving.
    • Be very careful not to put pressure on the hook or the eye.
  • If possible, cover the uninjured eye. The injured eye will move less if the uninjured eye is covered. This may prevent further damage to the injured eye.

Credits

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Last Revised April 26, 2011

Last Revised: April 26, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

To learn more visit Healthwise.org

© 1995-2012 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.