Darrick Robles If an eyelash pricks or an insect flies into your eye while cycling, you will feel it quickly. The eye then tries to evict the uninvited guest with tears and increased blinking. But that doesn’t always work. Here you can find out how to remove foreign bodies yourself and when you should see a doctor.
How do I remove a foreign body from the eye?
It all depends on what type of body it is.
You can remove an eyelash, a grain of sand or dust particles with a clean handkerchief. To do this, wipe it out of the eye from the lower lid towards the nose. However, you should never rub a solid foreign body such as sand , as this can injure the cornea. It is also important that you wash or disinfect your hands thoroughly so that no germs get into your eyes via your hands.
If you come across household chemicals , such as cleaning products, read the label first. If there are no safety instructions, rinse the eye gently and as thoroughly as possible with clear water . For example, you can bend over your sink and turn your head to the side so that the water can flow through your eye and flush out the liquid. If you wear contact lenses, remove them beforehand if possible.
Important: If you have caustic limescale in your eye, you should never rinse it. In this case, you should get medical help or call the poison control center.
You can find out more about hidden household toxins here .
How do I know that the foreign object has injured my eye?
Usually, the foreign body sensation in the eye goes away once you’ve removed the little culprit. The reddening of the eyes then quickly subsides. However, a pointed object such as a glass or metal splinter can also injure the cornea.
If you still feel like it’s stuck in your eye after removing the foreign object, your cornea may be injured. A scratch on the cornea can also cause sensitivity to light or blurred vision. A minor injury usually heals after 2 to 3 days. Often you don’t feel anything after a few hours.
How do I recognize a serious eye injury?
If the foreign object has gotten deeper into your eye, you may experience these symptoms:
- The eye hurts badly
- Something is stuck under the eyelid
- Your eye is red or uncomfortable when you wear contact lenses
- Your eye changes visibly
- your eye is bleeding
- discharge from the eye
Keep in mind that the above symptoms may indicate a more serious injury . You should therefore urgently consult an ophthalmologist .
When should I get medical help?
If you have a foreign body in your eye, it is always a good idea to seek medical advice. In the end, only the doctor can determine whether and how badly the eye is injured.
However, you always need medical help in these cases:
- If you have lime in your eye
- If you cannot get the foreign object (e.g. splinters, plant thorn) out yourself
- If you are in severe pain or the pain does not go away
- If your eye bleeds or has a discharge
- If your eye changes visibly (e.g. due to corneal opacity)
Important: In the event of a serious eye injury, you should go to an ophthalmologist or a hospital immediately.
