Management of Foreign Object in the Eye
If you have a foreign object in your eye, do not rub the eye as this can cause further damage by embedding the foreign body deeper or causing corneal abrasion. Instead, allow natural tears to wash out the object or irrigate with tap water or commercial eye wash solution for low-energy foreign bodies. 1
Initial Home Management
- Allow natural tears to wash out the object or irrigate with tap water/commercial eye wash solution 1
- Tape a hard plastic eye shield, paper cup, or plastic cup over the eye to prevent unintentional touching or rubbing 1
- Take over-the-counter oral acetaminophen or NSAIDs to treat residual discomfort after foreign body removal 1
- Remove any visible foreign body if possible; if embedded or difficult to remove, seek medical attention 2
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
- Contact lens-related foreign body sensation requires immediate medical attention, including removal of the contact lens and discontinuation of use 1
- High-velocity eye injuries, such as those from grinding or nailing 1, 2
- Penetrating eye injury from a sharp or metal object 1, 2
- Irregular pupil, eye bleeding, or vision loss after trauma 1
- Persistent foreign body sensation despite home treatment 1
- Suspicion of intraocular foreign body, which could cause serious complications, including during MRI procedures 3
Medical Treatment Approach
- For corneal abrasions caused by foreign objects, treatment includes:
- Irrigation with sterile saline or commercial eye wash solution to flush out loose foreign material 2
- Application of broad-spectrum topical antibiotic as prophylaxis (e.g., moxifloxacin drops four times daily) 2, 4
- Pain management with topical NSAIDs such as ketorolac tromethamine ophthalmic solution 2
- Cycloplegic agents (e.g., cyclopentolate) may be used to decrease pain from ciliary spasm 2, 5
- Avoiding eye patching, as recommended by the American Academy of Ophthalmology 2
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Rubbing the eye, which can cause further damage by embedding the foreign body deeper or causing corneal abrasion 1
- Ignoring persistent symptoms, which requires medical evaluation 1, 6
- Attempting to remove deeply embedded foreign bodies at home, which should be handled by medical professionals 2, 4
- Underestimating the seriousness of high-velocity injuries or metallic foreign bodies, which can lead to significant complications 6, 3
- Delaying treatment for chemical injuries, which should be irrigated immediately until the pH normalizes 5
Follow-up Care
- For corneal foreign bodies that have been removed, follow-up is recommended when appropriate to ensure proper healing 4
- If topical antibiotics were prescribed, complete the full course as directed 2, 4
- If symptoms worsen or new symptoms develop after initial treatment, seek medical attention promptly 1, 6