Patient education: Removing objects stuck in the eye (The Basics)

What kind of objects commonly get stuck in the eye? — 

Most of the time, something gets trapped between the surface of the eye and the eyelid (figure 1). If the object pierces the eye, it is more serious. You cannot lose an object behind your eye.

When an object gets into the eye that shouldn't be there, it is sometimes called a "foreign body."

Common things that can get into the eye and cause problems include:

●Sand or dirt

●Small bugs

●Makeup or eyelashes

●Contact lenses

●Small pieces of wood, plastic, or metal

How serious the problem is, and how it is treated, depends on what is in your eye and whether it is on the surface or has pierced the eye.

What symptoms can happen if an object gets stuck in my eye? — 

Your eye will make extra tears and make you blink. You might also have symptoms such as:

●Pain or burning

●Redness

●Feeling like something is in the eye

●Blurred eyesight

●Trouble keeping the eye open

●Sensitivity to light

Even after the object is removed, your eye might be uncomfortable for a day or so.

What should I do if something gets stuck in my eye? — 

Do not rub your eye. Do not use your fingers or anything else to try to remove the object.

Try to rinse the object out of your eye with clean water. Hold your eyelid open, and run or pour water gently into your eye. If you are wearing a contact lens, try to remove it before rinsing your eye with water.

If you still have pain or other symptoms after rinsing, see your doctor or nurse.

How will the doctor or nurse remove the object? — 

They will do an exam and check if the object is still in your eye. They will also check to see if you scratched your cornea (the clear covering over the colored part of the eye).

If the object is still in your eye, they will give you numbing eye drops and try to remove it. In some cases, an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) will need to check your eye.

How do I care for my eye after the object is removed? — 

Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also:

●Take all of your medicines as instructed:

•Fill your prescription for eye drops or eye ointments right away, if you were given one.

•Take non-prescription medicines to relieve pain, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).

●Avoid pressing or rubbing your eyes.

●Ask your doctor when you can wear contact lenses again.

●Make a follow-up appointment with a specialist, such as an eye doctor, if you were told to.

When should I call the doctor? — 

Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:

●You cannot see out of the eye.

Call for advice if:

●You have very bad eye pain and tearing.

●You have a cloudy spot or sore on the front of your eye.

●You have blurry vision, blind spots, or other vision changes.

●You have symptoms of an eye infection like swelling, redness, pain, or drainage from the eye.

●The pain and redness do not improve significantly after 24 hours.

●You have blood or thick fluid coming from your eye.

More on this topic

Patient education: Corneal abrasion (The Basics)
Patient education: Chemical eye injury (The Basics)
Patient education: Subconjunctival hemorrhage (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use eye medicines (The Basics)