Accidental exposure of the eye to fecal matter can be unsettling. Understanding immediate actions and potential health considerations helps manage the situation effectively. This information guides individuals through self-care steps and identifies when medical evaluation is necessary.
Immediate Steps to Take
If fecal matter enters the eye, immediate and thorough rinsing with clean water is necessary. Position the affected eye under a gentle stream of clean, lukewarm tap water, or use sterile saline solution if available. Hold the eyelid open during rinsing, allowing the water to flow from the inner corner of the eye outwards to prevent contaminants from spreading to the unaffected eye. Continue flushing the eye for at least 15 to 20 minutes to ensure removal of foreign material.
If contact lenses are worn, remove them immediately before or during rinsing; do not reinsert them. Avoid rubbing the eye, as this can worsen irritation, cause corneal abrasions, or embed contaminants further into the delicate eye tissues. Before and after touching the eye area, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water to prevent introducing additional germs or spreading potential pathogens.
Potential Health Concerns
Fecal matter contains a diverse range of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can pose a risk to eye health upon contact. These include:
- Bacteria: Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Shigella, and Campylobacter.
- Viruses: Adenoviruses, enteroviruses, rotaviruses, noroviruses, and astroviruses.
- Parasites: Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and Entamoeba histolytica.
- Intestinal worms: Ascaris and pinworms.
Exposure to these pathogens can lead to various eye infections. Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, is a frequent outcome, characterized by redness, itching, discharge, and irritation of the conjunctiva, the membrane lining the eyelid and covering the white part of the eye. Keratitis, a more serious infection, involves the cornea, the clear front part of the eye. Keratitis can cause pain, blurred vision, and light sensitivity, potentially leading to scarring if left untreated.
Severe complications can include cellulitis, an infection of the eyelid or surrounding tissues. This condition can manifest as swelling, redness, and pain. In severe cases, orbital cellulitis, an infection behind the eye, may cause the eye to bulge and can be accompanied by fever. Pathogens introduced through the eye can lead to systemic infections if they enter the bloodstream. Symptoms suggesting an infection include:
- Persistent redness
- Increased discharge
- Eye pain
- Swelling
- Heightened light sensitivity
- Blurred vision
- A feeling that a foreign object remains in the eye
When to Seek Medical Attention
While immediate rinsing is necessary, professional medical evaluation is recommended if symptoms persist or worsen after initial self-care. If redness, pain, discharge, or blurred vision continue despite thorough flushing, seeking medical advice is recommended. Prompt attention is important for severe symptoms such as significant eye pain, sudden changes in vision, or intense light sensitivity. A sensation that something is still present in the eye after rinsing also warrants a medical assessment.
If symptoms of systemic illness, such as fever, chills, or general malaise, accompany the eye irritation, it could indicate a more widespread infection requiring medical intervention. Individuals with weakened immune systems should seek medical attention more readily due to their increased susceptibility to infections. A healthcare provider can accurately diagnose the specific type of infection and prescribe appropriate treatment, which may include antibiotic eye drops or antiviral medications, to prevent further complications.