Object in the eye

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Object in the eye

Most of the time an object in the eye is an eyelash, a small piece of dirt, or a clothing fiber. If you are not able to remove an object from the eye with home treatment, wear dark glasses or cover the eye with a clean bandage (but do not put pressure on the eye), and call your health professional. If you have removed the object but it still feels like something is in the eye after a few hours, the cornea may be scratched. A visit to a health professional is needed.

Injury to the eye may cause bleeding, a change in the size of the pupil, a film over the eye lens, decreased vision, or vision changes. These objects may be deep in the eye and need to be removed by an eye specialist (ophthalmologist).

Immediate medical care is needed to remove certain objects from the eye safely and to protect the eye from further damage and infection. Seek medical care if:

• An object is stuck on the eye.
• A high-speed object struck the eye (such as an object propelled from a power tool, lawn mower, or BB gun). Note: These objects pose a high risk of injury to your eye. Even if symptoms appear minor, see your health professional for an evaluation.
• An object has punctured the eye.
• Metal pieces, such as metal filings, entered the eye. These can cause a rust ring in the outer, clear, round structure that covers the colored part of the eye and the pupil (cornea).

Credits

Last updated:	December 06, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Christopher J. Rudnisky, MD, FRCSC - Ophthalmology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer