Buzz
Encountering sand in your eyes can be both vexing and aggravating. The presence of sand is likely to induce excessive tearing and may even cause discomfort when attempting to close your eyelids. Primarily, refrain from rubbing your eyes; this action will only exacerbate the issue and potentially lead to eye damage. Subsequently, attempt to dislodge the sand by blinking or irrigating your eyes with water or eye drops. If these remedies fail to alleviate the sensation of sand in your eye, consulting your physician may be necessary.
Procedures
Flushing Your Eyes Clean
Avoid rubbing your irritated eyes. It is imperative not to rub or even touch your eyes if you experience the sensation of something, such as sand, in them. Rubbing your eyes could result in the sand scratching your cornea, necessitating a visit to your eye specialist and potential medication.
- You might need to identify what is in your eye and its location, but only do so once you are in a well-lit bathroom with a mirror.
- If you wear contact lenses, remove them immediately. Switch to glasses for the remainder of the day to prevent further irritation to your eye.
Keep blinking to aid in removing the sand. Allow your eyes to tear, then blink repetitively to naturally flush out the sand. Blinking and tears are the body's natural mechanisms for expelling foreign objects like sand. Maintain blinking for a few minutes and assess if the sensation of sand persists.
- During blinking, look downward to facilitate the flow of tears and sand out of your eyes.
Flush your eyes with water if blinking isn't effective. Fill an eyecup or small glass with lukewarm tap water. Position the rim of the eyecup or glass under your eye socket. Tilt your head and the container backward, allowing the water to flow into your eye and flush out the sand. Try to keep your eye open during this process. Continue rinsing for up to 15 minutes if necessary.
- You can also rinse your eye while standing in the shower for convenience.
- Workplaces often have eyewash stations designed for flushing particles from the eyes.
- For children with sand in their eyes, tilt their head over a sink with the affected eye closer to the drain. Instruct them to widen their eyes as much as possible while you rinse. If dealing with a small child or infant, have someone assist in holding their eye open during rinsing, if feasible.
- This step requires having eye drops readily available.
- Use only non-prescription eye drops for this purpose. Overusing prescription eye drops can have adverse effects.
Consult a medical professional if discomfort persists beyond 48 hours. Although the sensation of foreign objects in the eye may persist for hours after removal, enduring discomfort, blurred vision, or irritation beyond 48 hours warrants a visit to an eye specialist.
- Avoid attempting to remove embedded objects from the eye and seek immediate medical attention in such cases.
- A grain of sand can sometimes scratch the corneal surface, potentially leading to infection. Therefore, prompt evaluation by an eye doctor is crucial if symptoms persist despite flushing.
Evaluating Your Eyes
Prior to examining your eyes, ensure your hands are clean. Wash and dry your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. Avoid inspecting your eyes with dirty hands as it could exacerbate the issue.
- Keep your nails short during eye examinations to prevent potential eye scratches.
- If your nails are too long, seek assistance for the examination.
Inspect your irritated eye under well-lit conditions. Utilize a well-lit bathroom mirror for eye inspection. Position yourself close to the mirror, approximately 2–3 inches away, for optimal visibility.
- A lighted makeup mirror is ideal for enhanced illumination and magnification.
Determine the presence of sand by moving your irritated eye. Use the mirror to observe your eye's movements—up, down, and side-to-side. Although the sand may have been washed out, the sensation might persist.
- Remember, the sensation of sand may actually be caused by other foreign objects like eyelashes or sawdust.
Inspect beneath your eyelids if necessary. Pull down the lower eyelid and lift the upper one to check for sand or other objects. If found, keep the eyelid pulled back until the object can be removed.
- Simply exposing the object by manipulating your eyelid may dislodge it.
Gently remove sand using a cotton swab. Only address objects on the white parts of your eyes or beneath your eyelids, avoiding the irises. Dab a clean cotton swab lightly onto the object, allowing it to adhere before removal. Avoid rubbing the swab against your eye.
- If the sand or object is on the eyelid, a swift sweeping motion with the cotton swab may suffice for removal.
Managing a Corneal Scratch
Schedule an eye exam with your optometrist. If the sensation of sand persists beyond a few days or if rubbing exacerbated the discomfort, book an appointment with your eye doctor promptly. Sand particles in your eye could have scratched your cornea, especially if your eyes are red, light-sensitive, and continue tearing.
- Refrain from self-treating without professional advice.
- Avoid wearing contact lenses during this period.
Adhere to your doctor's treatment recommendations. During your visit, your doctor might administer drops to aid in identifying scratches. They may also prescribe antibiotic drops or ointment to prevent infection. Follow your doctor's advice for at-home care diligently, including any prescribed medication.
- Your doctor may suggest over-the-counter lubricating eye drops or prescribe antibiotic eye treatment.
Prevent further irritation by keeping objects away from your eyes. Refrain from touching your eyes with anything during the healing process, including hands, cotton swabs, makeup, or contact lenses. Only use eye drops or ointments as directed by your doctor.
- Consult your doctor before continuing any pre-existing eye drop regimen during the healing process.
- Wear sunglasses more frequently if your eyes are sensitive to light.
Pointers
Cautionary Notes
- If you have been engaged in metalworking activities such as hammering or grinding and have an object lodged in your eye, refrain from attempting self-removal. Seek immediate medical attention at the emergency room as self-removal may result in permanent damage.
