Types of Foreign Objects in the Eye

• Blowing Dust. Small particles such as sand, dirt, sawdust, or other grit. Can be blown into the eye on a windy day.
• Eyelash
• Dry Mucus. A loose piece of dried mucus (sleep) can feel like something is in the eye.
• Sharp Object (serious). A piece of glass from a shattered glass ornament is an example.
• High Speed Objects (serious) such as a metal chip from a hammer or lawnmower. A plastic fragment or small rock thrown from a weed-whacker are other examples.

When to Call for Eye - Foreign Object

Care Advice for an Object or Small Particle in the Eye

What You Should Know:

• The object (or particle) will always stay in the front part of the eye, unless they hit the eye at high speed.
• It cannot get lost behind the eyeball.
• The space beyond the eyelids goes back ¼ inch (6 mm) and then stops. In other words, it's a dead end.
• Here is some care advice that should help.

Lots of Particles (such as dirt or sand) - Treatment:

• Clean around the eye and face with a wet washcloth first. Reason: so more particles won't get in.
• Put that side of the face in a pan of warm water. Try to open and close the eye while in the water. Do it several times.
• Another option is to fill a glass or pitcher with warm tap water. Pour the water into the eye while tilting your head back or to the side. The eyelids must be held open during the rinsing. Doing this often needs the help of another person.

Particle in a Corner of the Eye - Treatment:

• Use a moistened cotton swab or the corner of a moistened cloth.
• Try to get it out.

Particle Under the Lower Lid - Treatment:

• Pull the lower lid out by pulling down on the skin above the cheekbone.
• Touch the particle with a moist cotton swab.
• If that doesn't work, try pouring water on the particle. Do this while holding the eyelid out.

Particle Under the Upper Lid - Treatment:

• If the particle can't be seen, it's probably under the upper lid. This is the most common hiding place.
• Try opening and closing the eye several times while it is submerged in a pan or bowl of water.
• If this fails, pull the upper lid out gently. Then, draw it over the lower lid while the eye is closed. When the eye is opened, the particle may come out. The lower lid may sweep the particle out from under the upper lid.

Contact Lenses:

• If you wear contact lenses, switch to glasses for a while.
• Reason: to prevent damage to the cornea.

What to Expect:

• The pain, redness and tears usually stop after the object is removed.
• It may take 1 to 2 hours for these symptoms to fully go away.

Call Your Doctor If:

• You can't get the object or particles out
• Feels like object is still there 2 hours after taken out
• Tears and blinking do not stop after you take out the object
• Vision is not normal after the eye has been washed out
• You think you need to be seen
• Your symptoms get worse

Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.




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