Got something in your eye?

It happens to us all at some time or another – a tiny speck of dust, an eyelash or a foreign object finds its way into your eye, causing discomfort and irritation. While it’s a common occurrence, knowing the right steps to take can make all the difference in protecting your eye’s health.

What to do:

Wash your hands: Before touching your eye, wash your hands with soap and water to prevent introducing any bacteria or dirt into it.

Pull your upper eyelid: If you can see the foreign object or particle on the white part of your eye or under your upper eyelid, use clean, damp fingers to gently lift your upper eyelid to try and remove it.

Blink repeatedly: Blinking can help your natural tears flush out small particles or irritants that may be in your eye.

Rinse with water: Gently rinse your eye with clean, lukewarm water. Use a clean cup to pour water over your eye or use a gentle stream of water straight from the tap. Tilt your head sideways and keep your eye open during the rinse, ensuring the water flows from the inside corner of the eye outward.

Artificial tears: If blinking or rinsing with water doesn’t work, try using a saline solution or artificial tears to rinse your eye gently. Tilt your head back and administer drops from the inner corner of your eye.

Rub your eyes: Avoid rubbing your eyes, as this can push the foreign object further in, or cause additional irritation, such as scratching the cornea.

Touch with dirty hands: Never touch your eyes with dirty hands or fingers, as it can introduce bacteria or dirt, leading to infections.

Wear contact lenses: Remove contact lenses immediately if you have one in the affected eye. It can trap foreign particles and worsen the situation.

Use cotton swabs or sharp objects: Avoid using cotton swabs, tweezers or any sharp objects to remove something from your eye. This can cause more harm and damage.

Rubbing alcohol or cleaning solutions: Do not use rubbing alcohol, cleaning solutions or any harsh chemicals in your eyes. They can cause severe irritation and damage to the delicate eye tissues.

Try to remove large or embedded objects: If the object is large or appears to be embedded in your eye, do not try to remove it yourself. Seek immediate medical attention.

Ignore persistent symptoms: If you are unable to remove the object, experience severe pain, vision changes or persistent irritation, seek professional medical help promptly.

If your eye irritation or discomfort persists, or if you’re unsure about how to handle the situation, call us on 011 264 0407 or visit an emergency room.