How many times has something got into your eye? A speck of dust, an eyelash or even a pointed object. Besides being very annoying it could be dangerous if you can't remove it properly. This article will tell you how to do it.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Part 1: Check the Eye
Step 1. Wash your hands even if you think they are clean
Hygiene is very important when touching your eyes. You certainly don't want to get an infection that is far more annoying than the small foreign body!
Step 2. Move your eye right, left, up and down while looking in the mirror to find where the object is
You may have some difficulty doing this.
A little light will help you during the inspection
Step 3. Ask a friend or family member to check your eye
Gently pull the lower eyelid down and slowly look up so that the helpers can check the inside of the eye well. Repeat the action but this time lift your upper eyelid and look down to make sure there is nothing in the upper area.
If you want to check under the eyelid, place a cotton swab right at the root of the upper eyelid and flip it backwards by pivoting on the stick. This way you can check that there is no foreign body inside
Step 4. When to go to the doctor
See a doctor if:
- You can't remove the object
- The object got stuck in the eye
- You see in a distorted way
- The pain, redness and discomfort remain even after removing the object.
Step 5. Do not do any of the following which are absolutely not recommended by doctors:
- Do not remove any metal pieces, large or small.
- Do not squeeze or rub the eye to remove the object.
- Do not use tweezers, toothpicks or other tools.
Method 2 of 4: Part 2: Rinse the Eye
Step 1. Use an eye bath
It is a small cup with an anatomical rim that adapts to the contour of the orbit and will allow you to wash the eye. To do it:
- Tilt your head back.
- Place the cup on the lower edge of the socket.
- Keeping the eye open, gently tilt the cup so that the water contained is poured into the eye, washing it and removing any foreign bodies.
Step 2. Use a normal clean glass
If you don't have an eye bath the glass will do just as well even if it will be a little less easy. Use it as if it were an eye cup:
- Tilt your head back and look up.
- Place the glass on the bottom of the eye right on the bone of the orbit.
- Keeping the eye open, gently but continuously pour the water into the eye.
Step 3. Use the shower
Point the stream of water to the forehead and not directly into the eye. Let the water flow inside the eye to remove the object. If you can, hold the eyelid open with your fingers.
Step 4. Use a dropper filled with water to wash the eye
Start at the outer corner, drop several drops and check if it works.
Method 3 of 4: Part 3: Clean the Outside of the Eye
Step 1. Use a piece of cotton to remove any objects that may have remained on the skin after washing but make sure there is nothing left inside the eye
Be careful not to rub the eye with the cotton. It is safer to wash the eye than to scratch it by trying to remove the object with a swab
Step 2. Remove the foreign body with a wet tissue paper
You can try to remove the object in this way if it is on the white part of the eye or on the inner face of the eyelid: with the corner of the handkerchief it touches the object directly, it should stick to it.
This technique is less recommended than washing as it may cause irritation. But if that happens, don't worry, it's normal
Method 4 of 4: Part 4: Check the Eye Next
Step 1. Expect the discomfort to subside
It is very likely that once the object is removed you will continue to have some discomfort and itching. But if these symptoms persist for more than a day, see your doctor.
Step 2. Get the situation under control
If it improves obviously the worst is over. If it gets worse, you need to go to an ophthalmologist. Here's what you need to pay attention to once the foreign body is removed:
- You begin to see double or out of focus
- The pain continues or increases
- Blood reaches the iris (the colored part of the eye)
- The light starts to bother you
- There are signs of infection
Advice
- Place a wet or frozen object over your eye and hold it for some time.
- The eye is able to expel foreign bodies on its own, such as grains of sand and eyelashes, often blinking and / or tearing.