What to Do If You Have Something in Your Eye
Do not rub your eye—this can embed the foreign body deeper or cause a corneal abrasion. 1
Immediate Home Management
For low-energy foreign bodies (dust, eyelash, small debris):
- Allow natural tears to wash out the object or gently irrigate with clean tap water or commercial eye wash solution 1
- Blink repeatedly to help tears flush out the particle 1
- Tape a hard plastic eye shield, paper cup, or plastic cup over the eye to prevent unintentional touching or rubbing while the object works its way out 1
- Take over-the-counter acetaminophen or NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) for any residual discomfort 1
When to Seek IMMEDIATE Medical Attention
Go to the emergency department or eye specialist immediately if you have:
- High-velocity injuries from grinding, hammering, nailing, or any projectile activity 1, 2
- Penetrating injury from a sharp or metal object 1, 2
- Irregular pupil shape, bleeding in the eye, or vision loss after the trauma 1
- Contact lens-related foreign body sensation—remove the contact lens immediately and discontinue use, then seek medical care 1
- Chemical exposure to the eye 1
- Persistent foreign body sensation despite home treatment attempts 1
These high-risk scenarios require professional foreign body removal, often with topical antibiotics (like moxifloxacin drops four times daily), topical NSAIDs (ketorolac) for pain, and possibly cycloplegic agents to reduce painful muscle spasm. 2 Embedded foreign bodies may require referral to an ophthalmologist for surgical removal. 2
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Never rub the eye—this is the most common mistake that converts a simple foreign body into a corneal abrasion or embeds the object deeper 1
- Do not ignore persistent symptoms—continued foreign body sensation after home treatment warrants medical evaluation to rule out corneal abrasion or embedded material 1
- Do not attempt to remove embedded objects yourself—these require professional removal to avoid further damage 2