Parent Calls It ‘Ridiculous’: Student Hit Hard in the Eye During Basketball Game, Nurse Notices Unequal Pupils and Urges ER Trip
The child also complained of dizziness and a headache, symptoms that raised red flags for potential neurological or ocular trauma.
October 18, 2026
This article was last updated by Rohit Maharjan on October 18, 2026
A tense moment unfolded at a school after a student was struck directly in the eye during a basketball game, prompting the school nurse to intervene swiftly.
According to a post shared by an Anonymous participant in The School Nurse Facebook group, the nurse immediately noticed that the student’s pupils were “completely different sizes,” with one iris appearing cloudy.
The child also of dizziness and a headache, symptoms that raised red flags for potential neurological or ocular trauma.
Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, the nurse contacted the child’s parents and advised that the student be taken to an emergency department or urgent care for immediate evaluation.
However, when the student’s father arrived, he reportedly reacted with frustration and disbelief, calling the nurse’s recommendation “ridiculous” and asking, “Are you serious?”
The nurse wrote that while she wasn’t seeking advice, knowing she made the right call, she was “genuinely shocked at the response of this parent.”
The post grabbed attention from other school nurses and healthcare professionals, many of whom agreed that the nurse’s decision was appropriate and necessary given the student’s symptoms.
Kim Nissen, a nurse at Crete-Monee School District 201-U, ,
Dad is not a Dr or Nurse. You absolutely did the right thing. When it comes to the children, I always error on the side of caution.
Another commenter, Lori Welge Fulk, offered a compassionate communication :
Anger is sad’s bodyguard, and I often find it’s a response of those who need someone who can lead. “I can see you are uncertain about my assessment, but I am confident that your son meets the criteria for neuro involvement. I am equally concerned about the eye itself. I simply do not mess around with eyes, because assessing incorrectly can mean permanent vision loss. I hope you can trust me on these findings.”
Many nurses agreed that the signs described, unequal pupils, cloudy iris, and dizziness, warranted emergency care, possibly even an ambulance call.
Roxane Smith from Saint Augustine Beach, Florida, ,
Your physical assessment revealed a concern after a blunt force injury. Any vision deficits? Hyphema and detached retina would be 2 urgent situations. You did what you’re trained for and documented. Move on.
Several nurses shared their own experiences of parents minimizing injuries or refusing to follow medical advice.
One anonymous participant recounted a nearly identical incident:
“One of our fifth graders was hit in the eye with a wiffle bat — pupils were different sizes. I told Mom to go to the ER; instead, she took him to urgent care, and then home. He never went to the ER. After that, I decided — if I think it’s ER-worthy, I just call EMS. Parents are way more receptive when an ambulance crew tells them it’s serious.”
Anonymous participantOthers supported the sentiment, saying that calling emergency services immediately protects both the student and the nurse.
Laura Startup explained that her school policy now requires calling EMTs whenever there’s a suspicion of concussion:
“They can assess and parents can refuse transport. Covers us!”
Still, some commenters empathized with the parental hesitation. Katie Johnson noted that financial and cultural factors often play a role:
“They may not be able to afford an ER visit. Our culture raises boys to ‘man up’ — walking it off isn’t unusual, but it’s not healthy.”
Many other emphasized documentation and following school protocols as a safeguard.
“Document and report it to the school principal,” wrote Susan Zadnoff Mechanic, while Carol Moore advised providing parents with written notes on monitoring for concussion or worsening :
“Concussions don’t always show up within 30 minutes. Sometimes they gradually get worse.”
Suzanne McCarthy summarized the no-win dynamic perfectly:
“It’s funny because if you didn’t suggest it, he’d be saying, ‘What kind of RN are you not to suggest MD assessment?’ We can never win.”
Throughout the discussion, one thing remained constant: support for the nurse’s decision and concern for the student’s well-being.
“You absolutely did the right thing,” wrote Emme Kate.
Another nurse, Patricia O’Hara, ,
“Do not doubt yourself. You are the clinical person in the building and your decision for this student was correct. Hold your head up high and move forward.”
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Rohit Maharjan is a skilled content writer and editor, known for his expertise in crafting engaging and informative written pieces. Beyond his professional work, Rohit is also a passionate musician, dedicating his free time to playing the guitar and creating melodious tunes.
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