First wash your hands. Protect the eye with a clean cloth, then wash the wound vigorously with liquid soap and water for 5 minutes. Rinse the wound well. Then apply pressure for 10 minutes with a sterile gauze to stop bleeding. Leave the area exposed to the air.
Antiseptic ointments are usually unnecessary.
Don't use alcohol or Merthiolate on open wounds because they sting and damage normal tissue. Swelling usually follows injury to the soft tissues or bone around the eye. Apply ice for 20 minutes. Give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain if necessary. Don't be surprised if a black eye develops over the next 2 days.