Foreign Object In Your Eye? Do these 5 things now

Getting something in your eye can be a frightening experience. Depending on what it is, this can range from slight discomfort to a sight-threatening emergency. The following details the 5 most important things you should do if this happens to you.

Ouch! There’s an Object in My Eye

• Signs & symptoms of something in your eye
• From small to large foreign object: In eye first aid to do straight away

Signs & symptoms of something in your eye

Foreign objects in your eye can range from the smallest speck of dust to a serious incident, such as a chemical splash or larger implement. Whatever it is, when something enters the eye it’s likely to affect the cornea or the conjunctiva. The former is a protective dome that covers the front of the eye—the latter is a thin membrane covering the white part of the eye. Large traumatic eye injuries are very obvious and will cause severe pain. Smaller objects in the eye might cause the following symptoms:

• Pain
• Pressure or discomfort
• Feeling like something is in the eye
• A scratchy, gritty feeling
• A bloodshot eye or redness
• Excessive blinking
• Excessive watering
• A tearing sensation
• Fluid or blood leaking from the eye (more usual from an extreme traumatic eye injury)

From small to large foreign object: in eye first aid to do straight away

If you feel that a foreign object has entered the eye, the following are the 5 things you should do straight away.

1. Wash your hands and look at the eye in bright light: Try to locate the object by pulling the lower lid down while looking up. If the object feels like it might be under the upper lid, look down and gently flip the upper lid upwards.
2. If the object is small and visible, try to gently remove it: This can be done by dabbing a damp cotton swab at the edges of the eye or by immersing the eye in water and gently blinking. Use an eyecup to do so or immerse your face in a container of water. You can also pour warm water into the eye to try and flush the object out.
3. Do not rub or put pressure on the eye: This can cause the object to embed further.
4. Don’t remove contact lenses: However, if it’s a chemical injury or the eye swells suddenly, remove them if possible.
5. Don’t touch the surface of the eye: This includes not using any implements to try and remove the object, such as tweezers.

Note: These actions should only be carried out if the object is small and examination and removal won’t cause further damage. For large objects, sharp objects, or chemicals: Restrict eye movement, bandage the eye with clean gauze or cloth, cover the uninjured eye as well, and get the person to definitive emergency care straight away.

When to Seek Professional Eye Care

• What to do if DIY eye care isn’t enough

What to do if DIY eye care isn’t enough

Severe traumatic eye injuries warrant immediate emergency attention. Other reasons you should seek professional care include:

• Worsening of symptoms, even after the object is removed
• Your vision is affected
• You notice a cloudy spot in the eye
• You can’t get the foreign object out
• Excessive and ongoing pain or discomfort

Got an Object in Your Eye? Get The Ultimate Treatment at the WBEC

Trauma to the eye caused by a foreign object can, in worst-case scenarios, be sight-threatening. The West Boca Eye Center provides the ultimate in emergency and non-emergency care for such incidents. Thanks to advanced, academic-level clinical facilities, the WBEC location and team is designed to treat any urgent situation, providing the ultimate initial and follow-up treatment.If you require emergency eye care, routine eye care, or specialist treatment, such as cataract surgery or laser vision correction, there’s no better place to receive the very best advice and management. Visit https://westbocaeyecenter.com/services/eye-infections-and-emergencies/ now to find out more.