An eyelash in the eye is a common and irritating experience. While uncomfortable, the eye has natural mechanisms to manage such occurrences. These features prevent foreign objects from causing harm.
What Happens When an Eyelash Enters Your Eye
When an eyelash enters your eye, the immediate sensation is often grittiness, sharpness, or fluttering. This discomfort triggers the eye’s natural defense responses, primarily increased blinking and tear production. These actions wash the eyelash towards the inner corner of the eye or dislodge it from the eye’s surface.
An eyelash cannot become lost behind your eye. This is due to the conjunctiva, a thin, transparent membrane lining the inner surface of your eyelids and covering the white part of your eyeball. The conjunctiva forms a continuous sac, preventing anything from going behind the eye. The eyelash typically remains within this conjunctival sac, either on the surface of the eyeball or tucked beneath an eyelid.
How to Safely Remove an Eyelash
If an eyelash is in your eye, first wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water to avoid introducing bacteria. Avoid rubbing your eye, as this can push the lash deeper or scratch the eye’s delicate surface. Instead, try blinking rapidly, which can encourage your natural tears to flush out the eyelash.
If blinking alone is not effective, you can try rinsing your eye with clean, lukewarm water or a sterile saline solution. Tilt your head to the side and pour the water from the inner corner of your eye, allowing it to drain outwards. Alternatively, if you can see the eyelash, gently touch it with the corner of a clean tissue or a damp cotton swab to lift it away.
When to Consult a Doctor
While often a minor inconvenience, an eyelash in the eye sometimes warrants medical attention. If irritation, pain, or redness persists after removal, or if you cannot remove it yourself, seek professional help. These symptoms might indicate a corneal abrasion, a scratch on the clear outer layer of the eye.
Other signs needing medical evaluation include blurred vision, light sensitivity, or eye discharge. Prompt consultation ensures proper diagnosis and treatment, preventing complications like infection or further eye damage.