iarjimphIARJIMPHIARJIMPH2709-331X10.47310/iarjimph.2025.v06i01.012Don't Ignore the Signs: Awareness of Eye Trauma and First Aid Measures Among Residents of Shimla DistrictBackground: Eye trauma, a major cause of preventable vision impairment, is prevalent in Shimla District, Himachal Pradesh, where occupational and domestic risks are heightened by environmental factors and limited healthcare access. This study aimed to evaluate public awareness of eye trauma, first aid measures, and emergency responses, focusing on addressing knowledge gaps and barriers in this urban-rural interface. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional online survey was conducted from January to March 2025, targeting adults aged 18–60 years in Shimla District. A bilingual (Hindi/English) questionnaire, hosted on Google Forms, assessed socio-demographic factors, knowledge of eye injuries, first aid practices, and barriers. Using convenience sampling, 440 participants completed the survey. Data were analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics v27.0, with knowledge scores categorized as Very Good (≥80%), Good (60–79%), Fair (40–59%), and Poor (<40%). Results: Participants, primarily aged 18–35 years (72.8%) and female (55.9%), showed moderate awareness: 80.9% recognized rinsing for chemical splashes, 83.2% identified covering the eye as protective, and 85.9% noted medical costs as a barrier. Gaps existed in urgent care for penetrating injuries (59.1%), scratch severity (61.1%), and eye bleeding as serious (62.7%). Knowledge levels were Very Good (26.6%), Good (47.0%), Fair (20.9%), and Poor (5.5%). Limited healthcare access (34.8%) highlighted rural challenges. Conclusion: While eye trauma awareness is improving, knowledge gaps and access barriers persist in Shimla District. Targeted education, first aid training, and rural outreach are crucial to reducing vision loss.