Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED because something got stuck in your eye. When an object gets into the eye that shouldn't be there, it is called a "foreign body."
How serious the problem is, and how it is treated, depends on what was in your eye, and whether it was on the surface or if it scratched your eye.
The doctor might have removed the object from your eye. You can recover at home. Your eye will probably be uncomfortable for the next day or so.
If the object could not be removed, you need to see a specialist in the next 24 hours. Also, some metal objects can leave a stain called a "rust ring" on the eye. This is not harmful, but it might need to be removed.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure 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 do the following:
●Call your regular doctor or eye doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●If the object could not be removed or there was a rust ring, make sure you know which doctor to see for follow-up.
●Take all your medicines as instructed:
•The doctor might have prescribed eye drops or eye ointments. It is important to finish all the medicine, even if you start to feel better.
•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).
●Do not press on or rub your eyes.
●Ask your regular doctor or eye doctor when you can wear contact lenses again. When you start wearing them again, use a new pair.
When should I get emergency help?
●Return to the ED if you:
•Cannot see out of your eye
•Have very bad eye pain and tearing
•Have a cloudy spot or sore on the front of your eye
•Have blurry vision, blind spots, or other vision changes
•Have blood or thick fluid coming from your eye
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●You still have pain even after taking pain medicine.
●You have symptoms of an eye infection like swelling, redness, warmth, pain, or drainage from the eye.
●The pain and redness do not improve significantly after 24 hours.
●You have new or worsening symptoms.
Patient education: Removing objects stuck in the eye (The Basics)
Patient education: How to use eye medicines (The Basics)
