Getting something in your eye is a common, uncomfortable experience. Whether it is a speck of dust, an eyelash, or a larger particle, the sensation can be irritating. Taking quick, calm, and correct action is important to prevent further injury to the eye. This guide provides practical steps for immediate relief and outlines situations when professional medical help is necessary.
First Steps for Eye Irritation
When an object enters the eye, avoid rubbing your eye, as this can be harmful. Rubbing the eye can scratch the cornea or embed the foreign object deeper into the eye’s surface. Instead, allow your eyes to blink repeatedly, as tears often suffice to wash out small particles like dust or an eyelash. Tears help lubricate the eye and can carry away minor irritants.
Before attempting any direct contact with your eye, thoroughly wash your hands to prevent introducing infection. Then, examine the eye in a well-lit area. Gently pull down the lower eyelid while looking up, and lift the upper eyelid while looking down, using a mirror or having someone assist you to locate the object. Removing contact lenses, if worn, is also advisable before attempting to remove a foreign object.
Safely Removing Common Objects
If the object is visible and not embedded, flushing the eye with clean water is an effective method. You can use lukewarm tap water, bottled water, or even a shower on a gentle setting. Lean over a sink, tilt your head, and hold the eyelid open, allowing the water to flow from the inner corner towards the outer corner for several minutes. Alternatively, filling a small, clean cup with water and immersing your open eye into it, then blinking several times, can help dislodge the particle.
For objects on the white part of the eye or inside the lower lid, a wet cotton swab or a clean, damp cloth can be used with caution. Gently touch the swab or cloth to the object, allowing it to adhere, and then lift it away without touching the eyeball. Sometimes, gently pulling the upper eyelid over the lower eyelid can also help dislodge an object stuck under the upper lid, allowing natural tears to wash it out. After successful removal, continued blinking and using artificial tears can help soothe any residual irritation.
When to Get Medical Help
Immediate medical attention is necessary if pain or irritation continues after home removal methods. Any sudden changes in vision, such as blurriness, double vision, or partial loss of sight, warrant an emergency eye evaluation. If the object is embedded in the eyeball or eyelid tissue, or if it is a sharp object like glass or metal shards, do not attempt to remove it yourself, as this can cause severe damage.
Chemical splashes to the eye require immediate and continuous flushing with water for 15-20 minutes, followed by emergency care, taking the chemical container for identification if possible. Signs of a potential eye infection, such as redness, swelling, discharge (especially if green or yellow), or increased sensitivity to light developing after an incident, also indicate a need for professional assessment. If all safe home methods fail to remove the object, or if a piece of a contact lens breaks off and remains stuck, seeking an eye care professional is important to prevent further complications.