A metal shaving in the eye demands immediate attention. These tiny fragments, often from grinding or welding, can become lodged on the eye’s surface or embedded within its delicate tissues, such as the cornea. They can cause intense pain, irritation, and redness. Prompt action is necessary to prevent complications like infection, scarring, or permanent vision impairment.
First Aid and Initial Actions
If a metal shaving enters your eye, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water to prevent contamination. Keeping calm is important. Try blinking repeatedly to see if the tears can naturally dislodge and flush out the foreign object.
If blinking alone does not work, gently flush the eye with a clean stream of lukewarm water. You can use an eyecup, a clean drinking glass, or a gentle shower stream aimed at your forehead while holding the affected eyelid open. Ensure the water source is clean. If wearing contact lenses, remove them before or during the flushing process.
Crucial Actions to Avoid
Avoid certain actions that can cause more harm. Never rub your eye, as this can embed the metal shaving deeper or scratch the cornea, which is the clear outer layer of the eye. Rubbing can also introduce bacteria, increasing the risk of infection.
Do not attempt to remove the shaving with tweezers, cotton swabs, or your fingers. These tools can cause damage, further embedding the object, or introducing infection. Forcing the eyelid open or applying pressure to the eye should also be avoided, especially if the object appears embedded. Self-extraction can worsen the injury and complicate professional removal.
Indicators for Professional Care
Metal shavings in the eye often require professional medical attention due to the risk of embedding, rust formation, or infection. Seek immediate professional care if you experience persistent pain, redness, or a lasting sensation that something is still in your eye after flushing. Other warning signs include blurred vision, light sensitivity, or visible bleeding into the white part of the eye.
If the metal shaving is visible and embedded, or if vision problems develop, prompt evaluation by an optometrist or ophthalmologist is necessary. Metal objects can react with tears, leading to rust formation around the foreign body, appearing as a dark spot on the cornea. This rust can cause irritation and scarring if not removed.
Medical Treatment and Recovery
An eye doctor will typically begin with a thorough examination, often using a specialized microscope called a slit lamp to view the eye’s surface. Anesthetic eye drops will be applied to numb the eye, minimizing discomfort during the removal process.
Removal depends on the shaving’s location and depth. Superficial objects might be removed with irrigation or a cotton-tipped applicator. For embedded pieces, the doctor may use sterile instruments like a fine needle or surgical spud to dislodge and extract the metal. If a rust ring has formed, an Alger brush, a miniature burr drill, may be used to gently remove the rust from the cornea.
After removal, antibiotic eye drops or ointment are prescribed to prevent infection and promote healing. The eye may feel sore for 24 to 36 hours as it heals. Follow-up appointments ensure proper healing and address any remaining rust or scarring. While most injuries heal without long-term problems, deeper foreign bodies or significant rust can lead to corneal scarring, potentially affecting vision.