We’ve all experienced the pain and discomfort that is caused by a foreign object in your eye. It could have been a piece of dust or grit, or something else so tiny that we can’t even see it. Most of the time they are fairly harmless and easily removed by the natural process of the tears in our eyes. Other times it can be more serious, depending on what the object it is and how deeply it has entered the eye itself.Keep your eye closed gently. Excessive blinking can cause even more irritation and discomfort. You may be very tempted to rub your eye, but you need to resist. Rubbing will possibly cause the foreign body to become even more deeply embedded.The best method for removal is to wash out the eye with an eyewash solution or tap water if no solution is available. You can use the water from a water fountain, a shower or a hose, and be sure to use a gentle flow. The main objective is to use a generous amount of water to ensure the particle is flushed out.
After a good wash, if you can still feel the object in your eye, the next step will be manual removal. Use a tissue or cotton swab at this point, and don’t swipe across your eye. Look in the opposite direction from the location of the object to protect your cornea.
If the item is large or the object has penetrated the eye, contact an eye care professional immediately. Any accident that involves materials such as shattered glass, flying metal shavings, or wood splinters need to be dealt with by an eye care specialist.
Here at Classic Vision Care, we have the skills, tools, and experience to help you if you suffer from any foreign object in your eye, no matter how small. Don’t hesitate to call us if you are not sure that you can handle it yourself, and if the intrusion is serious, contact us immediately.
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