Having an eyelash stuck in your eye is a common, irritating experience that triggers an immediate foreign body sensation. The eye’s natural defense mechanisms quickly activate, resulting in increased tear production as the body attempts to flush the irritant away. This sudden rush of tears and the urge to blink repeatedly are the eye’s primary, non-invasive methods for self-cleaning. Generally, the eyelash exits the eye quickly and without lasting harm, but knowing the proper removal response is important to prevent complications.
Assessing the Immediate Risk
While an eyelash is typically soft and small, its presence can cause discomfort. The primary concern is mechanical irritation, which may lead to a corneal abrasion. This is a superficial scratch on the cornea, the transparent, dome-shaped front surface of the eye, caused by the eyelash rubbing against it.
The risk of abrasion increases significantly if the natural impulse to rub the eye is not resisted. Vigorously rubbing the eye can push the eyelash further under the eyelids or drag it across the cornea, exacerbating any scratch. Tears provide natural lubrication, often helping the lash slide out harmlessly. However, an abrasion, even a small one, can increase the eye’s susceptibility to infection and may feel like the object is still present.
Step-by-Step Safe Removal
The first step in safe removal is to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water to prevent introducing bacteria into the irritated eye. If you wear contact lenses, remove them first. Once your hands are clean, try to locate the eyelash by looking in a mirror and gently manipulating the lids.
Start by encouraging the eye’s natural flushing mechanism by blinking repeatedly. This action may stimulate enough tears to move the eyelash to the inner corner of the eye where it can be safely wiped away. If blinking fails, the next gentle option is to flush the eye using an eye-safe solution. Saline solution or sterile artificial tears are ideal, but clean, lukewarm water can also be used in an emergency.
To flush the eye, tilt your head sideways over a sink and gently pour the liquid over the eye from a clean cup or dropper while holding the eyelid open. If the eyelash is suspected to be under the upper lid, gently pull the upper eyelid out and over the lower eyelid. Blinking several times while holding the lid this way allows the lower lashes to act like a brush, sweeping the irritant free.
If the eyelash is visible on the white part of the eye or along the inside of the lower lid, use a clean, damp cotton swab. Gently moisten the tip of the swab with water or saline. Carefully touch the tip of the swab to the eyelash to lift it away, avoiding direct contact with the cornea. Sweeping the lash out with a clean finger is also an option, but only after other methods have failed and your hands have been freshly washed.
When Professional Help is Necessary
If the eyelash cannot be removed with gentle home methods, or if symptoms persist after the eyelash is visibly gone, professional medical attention is needed. A persistent foreign body sensation after the irritant is removed often indicates a corneal abrasion, which requires diagnosis and treatment.
You should seek care from an optometrist or ophthalmologist if you experience severe redness, increasing pain, or sensitivity to light (photophobia). Other warning signs include blurry vision, excessive discharge or pus coming from the eye, or if the sensation of having something in your eye lasts for more than 24 hours.
An eye care specialist possesses specialized equipment and dyes that can reveal microscopic scratches or residual debris that may be embedded in the cornea or lodged deeply under the eyelid. They can safely remove the irritant using sterile instruments and prescribe antibiotics or other medication to prevent infection and promote healing of any abrasion.