I Think Something Is Stuck in My Eye. What Now?
Having something stuck in your eye isn’t fun. Your first reaction might be to panic, but this is actually the worst thing you can do. Stay calm, and we’ll talk you through it.
If you have a foreign object stuck in your eye, such as a piece of debris, it can really hurt. You may feel worried or even scared, but we can help. Our providers at Eye Q Optique explain more about what you should do when this happens.
What can get stuck in your eye
Just the thought of getting something stuck in your eye might make anyone flinch. If you’re not wearing safety glasses when needed, for example, you could get something in your eye extremely easily.
Sometimes, random accidents happen that aren’t preventable, such as getting an eyelash or fiber stuck in your eye. Even though these items are tiny, they can still hurt a lot.
If you feel like you have something in your eye, sometimes you need help getting it out. This isn’t a do-it-yourself kind of situation!
First steps
Wash your hands with soap and water before touching your eye. This is essential because not doing so could introduce bacteria into your eye that could cause an infection.
Even though your eye hurts and it seems like the most natural thing to do, don’t rub it. If you wear contact lenses, remove them as quickly as possible.
You should also avoid the use of cotton swabs or tweezers if you find something in your eye. Please, let us handle it.
What next?
Sometimes, debris can fall into your eye that seems like you can get out. If so, the first thing you want to do is flush your eyes with water. Don’t use just ordinary tap water if you have some saline solution on hand. Saline is the more appropriate choice because it’s sterile.
If chemicals get into your eye — even ordinary household chemicals, such as bleach or cleaners, saline can help reduce the irritation until you can come in and see us.
Danger signs
In some cases, you need immediate medical attention. Don’t stay home trying to fix it yourself — go to the emergency room, if possible.
Such danger signs include the following:
Your eye is bleeding
Something has poked a hole in your eye
You get chemicals in your eye
You can’t close your eyes
Your vision changes
You remove a foreign object but your eye still hurts
Any of these symptoms is a clue that you should seek professional help as soon as possible.
What we can do
When you come into our office, we may first put drops in your affected eye to numb it or to help us get a better view of what’s going on. Next, we may use technologies, such as ultrasound or X-ray, to give us a closer look at the problem. We may also help flush out the foreign object from your eye with saline or special tools to help get it out.
Antibiotic ointments might be prescribed to help your eye further heal, and we might advise you not to wear contacts (if applicable) for a few days until your eye heals.
In most cases, getting something stuck in your eye is a short-term emergency. We’ll help you take care of it, and then your eye will need a few days to heal from the injury. Keep any follow-up appointments, even if you’re doing better.
Though getting something stuck in your eye can feel scary, stay calm and contact our team at Eye Q Optique in Buffalo Grove or Chicago, Illinois. However, if you have an emergency situation, you should go straight to the emergency room at your nearest hospital.