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It’s never comfortable when something flies into your eye, no matter the size or origin of the foreign object. If a tiny speck of dust or a similarly sized item lands in your eye, you can naturally remove it by blinking rapidly. If this method doesn’t work, try rinsing your eye or using a cotton swab to gently remove the object. Never rub your eye in an attempt to get rid of something inside it. If the foreign object causes severe irritation, don’t try to remove it yourself, as it could worsen the irritation or even cause harm to your eye.
Steps
Self-removal of Foreign Objects from the Eye
Blink rapidly. When you have dust, hair, or another small object in your eye, the body’s natural response is to blink. Rapid blinking can help remove the debris, as tears will flush the foreign object away. The more you blink and allow tears to flow, the better your chances of removing the object.
- Blink quickly by opening and closing your eyes rapidly.
- It might feel awkward, but tears can naturally wash away the debris.
- If you find it hard to focus and produce tears, you can also try yawning to stimulate tear production.
Pull the upper eyelid over the lower eyelid. If you need to remove a foreign object stuck under your eyelid, gently close your eyes and lightly pinch the skin of the upper eyelid. Pull it downward so that it covers the lower eyelid. Then, roll your eye to help dislodge the foreign object. If you’re lucky, this action may loosen the object and cause it to fall out.
Avoid rubbing your eyes. When something enters your eye, your natural instinct is to rub it, but this can actually be harmful. Rubbing your eyes can push the foreign object further under the eyelid, pierce the eye, or scratch the cornea. If this happens, you could suffer permanent eye damage or even blindness, accompanied by severe pain. Therefore, never rub your eyes or apply pressure when trying to remove something from your eye.
Using Tools to Remove a Foreign Object
Rinse your eyes with eye drops. Various eye drop solutions available in the market can help flush out foreign objects from your eyes. There are different ways to use these eye wash solutions. Some require you to pour the solution into a wash cup, place it over your eye, and tilt your head back. Others can be used directly by tilting your head back and squeezing the solution from the bottle into your eye.
Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
Nurse
Nurse
According to Sarah Gehrke, R.N., "If you frequently work with chemicals or irritants, it is important to know how to use an emergency eyewash station before any damage occurs."
Rinse your eyes with water. If you have an eyewash station, use it to rinse your eyes with clean, cool water. If not, you can fill a small bowl or cup with water, open your eyes, and splash the water onto your eyes. Alternatively, you can place your eyes under a slow-running faucet or shower to flush out the foreign object.
Place a cotton swab or a clean corner of a cloth behind your upper eyelid. Gently pinch the upper eyelid and lift it slightly. Insert the cotton swab or clean cloth corner behind the eyelid and slowly roll your eyeball backward. Remove the cotton swab or cloth and check for any remaining foreign objects. If your eye is still red or irritated, check the cotton swab or cloth for debris.
Use a cotton swab or a clean cloth to remove the foreign object. If after rinsing your eyes with a solution and/or water you still feel something in your eye, use a cotton swab or a clean cloth to gently remove the foreign object. Always dab gently with an up-and-down motion, never swipe across your eye.
- To protect your cornea, look in the opposite direction of the foreign object’s location in your eye. For example, if the object is in the right corner of your eye, look left.
- After each dab with the cotton swab or cloth, check it for debris. If it appears clean, you’ll know the object has been removed.
Ask someone for help. If you’re having difficulty removing the foreign object from your eye and can’t see it in a mirror, ask someone else to assist you. Hold both eyelids open and have them check for any debris. Roll your eyes so they can inspect the entire surface of your eye.
- If you feel comfortable, you can ask them to use a cotton swab to gently dab and remove the foreign object. Alternatively, they can help by administering eye drops or rinsing your eyes with a cup of water.
Removing Large/Dangerous Objects
Recognize symptoms indicating the need for medical care. If your eye becomes irritated from anything larger than a speck of dust, you may need to visit a doctor to have it removed. If the foreign object is large or has caused bleeding and severe pain, seeking medical help is necessary. Pain is a clear sign that the irritation might be more than minor, although sometimes eye damage can occur without pain. Symptoms to watch for include changes in eye color, bleeding, abnormalities in the eye, blurry vision or loss of sight, or discharge from the eye.
- If you cannot remove the foreign object from your eye, it is advisable to seek medical attention.
Seek medical attention. Once you identify that the object in your eye is serious, contact a doctor. Large foreign objects such as glass shards or nails should be handled by a doctor or medical professional. If the object is embedded in the eye, the doctor may need to perform a minor surgical procedure to remove it. The doctor might also use anesthetics to extract the object and place a bandage on your eye while it heals. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to prevent infection.
Don’t attempt to remove a foreign object embedded in the eye. If a piece of glass or any object punctures your eye, do not try to remove it yourself. Attempting to remove the object could cause more damage. Instead, you should visit a doctor to ensure safe and proper medical treatment.
- Be sure to use a sterile eye pad until you can see a doctor.
Advice
- Never use your fingers to poke your eye or touch the pupil.
- Always wash your hands before bringing them near your eyes or eyelids to prevent infection or further irritation. Anyone assisting you should also do the same.
- Ensure that you use clean water to rinse the foreign object out of your eye.
- If chemicals get into your eye, rinse it for at least 10-15 minutes and seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Warnings
- Never use tweezers or any other tool to remove a foreign object from your eye. You could easily cause injury or make the situation worse.
