Content

• Steps
• Warning

Getting rid of foreign objects in the eye requires an assessment of the situation and appropriate action. For example, if a large object such as a piece of glass or metal gets stuck in your eye, you should go to the emergency room immediately. But if the object that gets into your eyes is smaller, like eyelashes or dust, you can wash it off with water. Learn how to remove foreign bodies from your eyes so you know what to do when you or someone else is in this situation.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Prepare to remove foreign bodies

1. 

   Determine if you need urgent medical attention. When an object gets in the eye, you may need to call an ambulance right away before trying any other method. The risk is that you could cause more damage by trying to get rid of the object in the eye yourself. Seek immediate medical attention if the object is larger than the eyelash or if any of the following appear:
   • Nausea or vomiting
   • Headache or feeling light-headed
   • Double vision or impaired vision
   • Dizziness or loss of consciousness
   • Rash or fever
   • The foreign body cannot be removed from the eye
   • Pain, redness, or discomfort persists after the foreign body is removed

2. 

   
   
   Wash your hands. Washing your hands will leave germs such as dirt, debris, or bacteria less likely to get into your eyes. Use warm water and antibacterial soap to wash your hands for 2 minutes. Be sure to wash under your fingernails and between your fingers.
   • This preventive action ensures that bacteria, pollutants or irritants do not get into the eyes, a very vulnerable organ and infection.

3. 

   
   
   Check to see if you can see the foreign body. Identifying the position of an object in the eye can help you see if the material is damaging the eye. It is important to locate the foreign object and not to attempt to remove the foreign object with a tool. Anything that gets into the eye can injure and cause infection in the eye.

4. 

   
   
   Rotate your eyes around to locate the object. Move your eyes back and forth to find where the object is. Move your eyes from left to right, top to bottom. While moving your eyes, it may be difficult to observe. After you roll your eyes around, look in the mirror to see if you can locate the foreign body.
   • Turn your head to the sides and nod your head up and down to move your eyes while looking in the mirror.
   • Use your fingers to pull the eyelids down and slowly look up.
   • Repeat the above process, but this time pull the eyelids up and down.
   • If you find it difficult to observe anything, you can have someone else check it out for you.
   advertisement

Part 2 of 3: Elimination of foreign matter

1. 

   Know what to avoid. Before trying to remove the object from your eye, it is important to know what to avoid. You should keep the following in mind when trying to remove an object from your eye:
   • Never remove any piece of metal caught in your eye, big or small.
   • Never put pressure on the eye to try to dislodge an object.
   • Never use tweezers, toothpicks, or other hard objects to remove an object from the eye.

2. 

   Use eye wash solution to remove foreign bodies. The best way to remove an object or irritant from the eye is to use a sterile solution to wash the eye. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) recommends flushing eyes with water for at least 15 minutes. Use a sterile eye wash solution to rinse your eyes under continuous flow.
   • Remember that eye cleansers do not neutralize many chemicals, but only dilute and wash away them. You will therefore need a large amount of eye wash solution.

3. 

   Stand in the shower with your eyes open to let the water get into your eyes. If you are at home and the object in your eye is just a small object like an eyelash or dust, you can try to wash it off by letting the shower water gently run through your eyes.
   • Do not let water directly in your eyes. You should let the water run into your forehead, down your face and through your eyes.
   • Keep your fingers open with your fingers as the water flows through them.
   • Allow the water to run through your eyes for a few minutes to see if the foreign body has passed away.

4. 

   Find out the eye wash times for different chemicals. Eye wash times will vary depending on the chemicals that get into the eyes. If there is an object in your eye, wash it out until it passes. But if the chemical gets into your eyes and causes irritation, you will need to wash it off for a period of time depending on the chemical.
   • Wash for 5 minutes for slightly irritating chemicals.
   • Wash for at least 20 minutes for moderate to strong irritants.
   • Wash for 20 minutes on non-corrosive corrosives such as acids.
   • Wash for at least 60 minutes on corrosive corrosives such as alkalis (alkalis).

5. 

   Seek immediate medical attention if you need to wash your eyes for more than a few minutes. If the foreign body does not come out of the eye after a few minutes of washing or if the eye has been exposed to highly irritating chemicals, you should tell someone immediately. Have them call a poison control center or call an ambulance right away. advertisement

Part 3 of 3: Wash your eyes in an emergency

1. 

   Know which injuries need to flush eyes immediately. In some cases, for example, when you get a strong irritant in your eyes, you shouldn't just use sterile eyewash, but quickly focus on washing your eyes thoroughly and seek medical help.
   • For example, if you accidentally get caught in your eyes by chemicals such as acids, bases, abrasives, or some other irritant, stop what you're doing and wash your eyes immediately.
   • Don't forget that some chemicals react with water. For example, most alkali metals (first left column in the periodic table) react very strongly with water. Do not use water to wash these chemicals.

2. 

   Use an eye sink if available. Special eye sinks are available in most areas where there is a risk of chemical splashing in the eyes. If an object or chemical gets in your eyes, go to the eyewash immediately and take the following steps:
   • Lower hand push lever down. The hand lever is bright in color and easy to see.
   • Stop in front of water jets. Water will spray into the eye with low pressure.
   • Do your best to open your eyes. Use your fingers to keep your eyes open when washing them.

3. 

   Rinse eyes with running water in the sink. If you can't find an eyewash right away or you don't have an eyewash (like at home), you can use the sink tap. Tap water is not ideal for eye wash because it is not as sterile as distilled water in many laboratories. But removing chemicals from the eyes is much more important than being concerned about the risk of infection. Here's how to wash the eyes at the sink:
   • Go to the nearest sink and turn on cold water. If the water is too cold, adjust it so that the temperature is slightly lukewarm.
   • Next, lean over the tub, open your eyes, and splash water into your eyes. If the washer is a lift-out type, you can direct the faucet directly into the eye with low pressure and keep your eyes open with your hands.
   • Wash eyes for at least 15 to 20 minutes.

4. 

   Call poison control for advice on how to handle irritating chemicals. (In Vietnam, please call the emergency number 115). If someone helps you, ask them to call while washing your eyes, then seek immediate medical attention.
   • If you have dangerous chemicals in your eyes, seek medical attention as soon as possible even after washing your eyes.
   advertisement

Warning

• Do not touch your eyes or try to use an object or tool to remove the object in your eye. Sterile eyewash or water are the best options for removing foreign matter from the eye.