Have you ever gotten something in your eyes?
We all have gotten something in our eyes, whether it is an eyelash, makeup or dust particles. But, the real question is how to get it out safely. There are a variety of options for removing the foreign objects that depends on what is in your eye.
Check out these tips on how to safely remove the object for you eye:
Small Foreign Objects
If you have something in your eye, the most important thing is DO NOT rub your eye! This could scratch your cornea and make things much worse.
- Start by washing your hands throughly with soap and water.
- Look at your eye in a mirror or even better and magnifying mirror to try to find the object in your eye.
- Take out your contacts if you wear them before trying to remove the object from your eye.
- Try blinking to try to naturally flush the object out with natural tears.
- If you can’t find the object, try to flush it out gently with clean cool or lukewarm water by using a small cup (medicine cup it ideal), clean eyedropper, or even holding your eyes below the faucet or shower to try to flush it out.
- If you have found the object in your lower lid or upper lid, try to flush it out as described above. Try not to use your fingers or any other objects. They could scratch your cornea.
- If you still feel the scratching feeling, the object could still be in your eye or you may have a scratch. If you continue to feel discomfort on your eye after 24 to 48 hours, or your eye becomes red or your vision is blurred, seek immediate medical attention.
- Never use tweezers, toothpicks or other hard objects in your eyes.
Chemicals
When you clean your home or mow your grass, you may come in contact with chemicals like bleach or gasoline. If you get a chemical in your eye, flush your eye out immediately with clean running water.
- Flush your eye for a minimum of 15 minutes holding your eye open at an angle where the water can run off away from the other eye.
- If you have chemicals in both of your eyes, get into a shower and flush both eyes out once again for a minimum of 15 minutes.
- If you wear contacts, leave them in and start flushing immediately. If they do not come out with the flushing, try to remove them, then repeat the entire flushing process after they are out.
- After you have completed the flushing process, seek immediate medical attention, even if your eyes feel fine.
Prevention
Protect your eyes. This is the best way to prevent damaging them.
- Use protective googles when working with chemicals.
- Use protective googles when mowing the lawn, using power tools like nail guns and even hammers.
- Wear swim googles when swimming.
- Wear proper eye protection during sports.
- Wear sunglasses when you are out in the sun to protect agains UV rays.
- Wear protective glasses (sunglasses) when you are riding your bike for protection against the sun, wind, dust and other items.
If you have any questions or would like to see a medical professional, make an appointment with WestSide Eye Clinic at 504.347.8434.
