Getting a foreign object in your eye can be immediately alarming, causing a distinct gritty or scratching sensation that demands attention. This common discomfort is often accompanied by excessive tearing and redness as the eye attempts to flush out the irritant naturally. Tiny particles like dust, sand, makeup flakes, or even a stray eyelash are the most frequent culprits for this type of irritation. Knowing the proper, gentle steps to take immediately can prevent a minor annoyance from escalating into a serious injury.
Identifying the Foreign Object and Location
Before attempting removal, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water to prevent introducing bacteria into the eye. Next, move to a well-lit area and use a mirror or ask a helper to gently examine your eye to locate the object.
To check the lower parts of the eye, gently pull down the lower eyelid while looking up. Inspecting the area beneath the upper eyelid is more difficult, but pulling the upper lid away and stretching it over the lower lid can sometimes dislodge a trapped object. If the object appears embedded in the cornea (the clear front dome) or is sharp, stop the examination and seek medical help immediately.
Safe Step-by-Step Removal Techniques
The least invasive methods should always be tried first, starting with the eye’s natural defense mechanisms. Blink repeatedly to stimulate tear production, as your tears are designed to safely wash away small, loose debris. If the object is not dislodged, the next step is to use irrigation, which involves flushing the eye with a specialized liquid.
The safest fluid for flushing is sterile eyewash, sterile saline solution, or artificial tears. If these are not available, clean, lukewarm tap water can be used in an emergency, especially for non-contact lens wearers. Contact lens users should avoid tap water, as it can contain microorganisms like Acanthamoeba that can lead to severe eye infections if trapped under a lens. To flush, tilt your head over a sink, ensuring the affected eye is lower, and pour the solution or a gentle stream of water from the inner corner of the eye outward. This technique prevents the object or contaminated water from flowing into the unaffected eye.
If flushing fails and the object is clearly visible on the white of the eye or under the eyelid, you can try to lift it off gently. Use a clean, moistened cotton swab, or the damp corner of a clean cloth or tissue. Carefully touch the object with the moistened material, using a rolling motion to let the particle adhere to it. Only attempt this for objects that are visibly loose and not stuck to the central, clear cornea. After successful removal, the eye may still feel irritated due to a minor scratch, which should improve within 24 hours.
Immediate Actions to Avoid
Avoid certain instinctive reactions to eye irritation, as they can cause more damage than the foreign object itself. A strong impulse is to rub the eye, but this action must be avoided completely. Rubbing can cause a small, loose particle to scratch the delicate corneal surface, resulting in a painful corneal abrasion.
Never attempt to remove an object that is visibly embedded in the eye tissue, is large, or is sharp, such as glass or metal fragments. Trying to remove an embedded object yourself can cause a penetrating injury, potentially leading to severe or permanent vision loss. Do not use dry materials like a tissue, paper towel, or cotton, as these can introduce fibers or further scratch the eye. Similarly, never use sharp tools like tweezers or toothpicks to try to pry out a foreign body.
Warning Signs Requiring Emergency Medical Attention
Several signs indicate a medical emergency requiring professional care. Seek immediate attention if the object was propelled into the eye at a high speed, such as during hammering or grinding, or if it is embedded. Chemical exposure also warrants urgent professional care, often involving immediate, prolonged flushing before transport to an emergency room.
Other serious indicators suggest a serious injury requiring an urgent evaluation. These include:
- Severe, persistent pain that does not improve after removal attempts.
- The sensation of having something in the eye lasts for more than 24 hours.
- Any sudden or significant change in vision, such as blurry vision, double vision, or new dark spots.
- Visible signs like bleeding in the white of the eye, a cloudy spot on the cornea, or a noticeable discharge.