What should I do if dust gets into my eye?

Managing Dust in the Eye

If dust gets into your eye, it is reasonable to attempt to remove it by allowing natural tears to wash out the object or by irrigating the eye with tap water or a commercial eye wash solution. 1

Initial Management Steps

1. Do NOT rub your eye - This can cause further irritation or damage 1

2. Allow natural tears to wash out the dust or use irrigation:

   • Use tap water or commercial eye wash solution 1
   • Direct water flow from inner corner outward to prevent contamination of the unaffected eye

3. Prevent touching the eye:

   • If needed, tape a hard plastic eye shield, paper cup, or plastic cup over the eye to prevent unintentional touching 1

When to Seek Medical Attention

Seek immediate medical attention if:

• Foreign-body sensation persists after irrigation attempts 1
• You experience persistent pain, redness, or vision changes
• The dust entered your eye at high velocity
• You wear contact lenses and develop foreign-body sensation (remove the lens first) 1

Special Considerations for Contact Lens Wearers

If you wear contact lenses:

• Remove the contact lens immediately if you develop a foreign-body sensation 1
• Discontinue contact lens use until the issue resolves 1
• Seek medical attention if symptoms persist after lens removal 1

Pain Management

• It is reasonable to take over-the-counter oral acetaminophen or NSAIDs to treat residual discomfort after the foreign body is removed 1

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Rubbing the eye - This can cause corneal abrasions or push the foreign body deeper
• Delaying irrigation - Prompt removal of foreign bodies reduces the risk of complications
• Using pressure on the eye - This can worsen any potential injury
• Ignoring persistent symptoms - Continuing irritation may indicate a retained foreign body or corneal damage

Follow-up Care

• If symptoms persist for more than a few hours despite irrigation and pain management, seek medical evaluation
• For persistent foreign-body sensation, medical attention is necessary to rule out corneal abrasions or embedded particles 1

Remember that while dust in the eye is usually a minor issue that can be managed at home, persistent symptoms require professional evaluation to prevent complications that could affect vision and eye health.