How to respond when a foreign body enters the eye
You have surely had something get into your eye more than once. It is quite common for a foreign body to enter the eye and remain on the surface. These may be fragments of different materials: eyelashes, insects, metal splinters, dust and sand particles, corrosive substances, etc. Symptoms include tearing, irritation, stinging, redness, pain and sometimes reduced vision. Most commonly, tearing and blinking cause the eye to expel the foreign body from the eye on its own, with no need to intervene. However, sometimes, despite blinking, the discomfort persists. If we can see a foreign body in the eye, we may try to remove it ourselves, although ideally you should see an ophthalmologist so it can be removed safely and without risk.
First aid for removing a foreign body from the eye
- The most important advice is never rub your eye. If you do, you may cause an eye injury due to friction from the object that is stuck.
- Before examining the eye, you must wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Next, we will look for where the foreign body is located. It may be on the cornea, on the conjunctiva, or under the eyelids.
- If it is on the conjunctiva or under the lower eyelid, we can use the tip of a soft tissue, clean and dry, or a sterile gauze pad. With it, we will gently brush the foreign body until it adheres.
- If it is under the upper eyelid or on the cornea, it is advisable to seek urgent care from an ophthalmologist so it can be removed properly.
When you should NOT try to remove the particle from the eye
In the case of children, especially younger ones, it is more difficult to examine the eye and remove the foreign body on your own. Naturally, they are unlikely to cooperate and are not able to remain still. In these situations, it is advisable to go to a clinic specializing in pediatric ophthalmology with specific medical materials and instruments for children.
If the foreign object is on the cornea, or if we see that the pupil is no longer round, you should not attempt to remove it, as it may have entered the inside of the eye. Nor should you attempt it if the object is embedded in the eye. In both cases, you must seek specialized, urgent medical care.
If, instead of a solid object, it is a corrosive liquid that has splashed into your eyes, you must rinse them with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. After rinsing, it is recommended to seek urgent care to assess the damage. It is important to go to the ophthalmologist with the container of the liquid that caused the problem, so its properties can be identified.
If you need an examination for the removal of a foreign object from your eye or a child’s, you can request an urgent appointment at the García de Oteyza Clinic, or contact us by phone at 93 418 67 89 or at info@garciadeoteyza.es. You may also book an appointment directly via our contact section on the website.
