How should I advise a patient on follow-up care after sustaining a minor eye injury?

Advise the patient to monitor for any worsening symptoms such as increased pain, vision changes, redness, or discharge, and to seek urgent medical attention if these occur.

Recommend keeping the eye clean and avoiding rubbing or applying pressure to the injured eye.

Advise the patient to avoid contact lenses until fully healed and cleared by a healthcare professional.

Inform the patient about the importance of attending any scheduled follow-up appointments with their primary eye care professional or ophthalmologist to ensure proper healing and to detect any complications early.

Provide clear instructions on how to protect the eye from further injury, such as wearing protective eyewear if necessary.

Explain that if the injury was minor and no complications are detected, routine follow-up in primary care or with an optometrist may be sufficient, but any new symptoms should prompt re-evaluation.

Ensure the patient understands the need to report any persistent symptoms such as blurred vision, photophobia, or persistent discomfort.