Got Something Stuck in Your Eye? Here’s What To Do

Few things are more irritating or panic-inducing than getting something stuck in your eye. Your instincts might make you want to immediately rub your eyes, but don’t do that! Swiping at your eyes can cause more damage and lead to possible infection.

Instead, optometrist Robert Engel, OD, suggests this step-by-step process for safely removing foreign objects from your eyes.

How do you get something out of your eye?

Your eyes are generally good at flushing stuff out on their own with tears and eyelashes. But sometimes, your eyes might need a little extra help if they’re dealing with dirt, sand, pollen and other small debris.

If you suspect something is in your eye, here’s what to do.

1. Wash your hands

Wash your hands with soap and water before touching your eyes. The last thing you want to do is introduce more debris or germs that can cause an eye infection.

2. Locate the object

If you have a chemical or liquid in your eye, move to step four. Otherwise, stand in front of a mirror. Using your clean index finger, gently pull your lower eyelid down or your upper eyelid up and away from your eye. Look up, down and side to side. See if you can spot any solid foreign objects.

3. Remove small debris

If the object is on the white part of your eye or on your lower eyelid, you can gently remove it by touching it with a clean cotton swab, tissue or your well-washed finger. If you have difficulty removing it, it helps to gently move it toward the corner of your eye.

Don’t attempt to remove it if the object is on the colored part of your eye. “Trying to poke it out could cause trauma,” warns Dr. Engel. Instead, move to the next step.

4. Flush your eye

Any chemical or foreign liquid should be flushed out of your eye immediately.

“Basic soaps and household detergents usually only cause mild symptoms and can be treated with a simple rinse with eye wash, saline or water for several minutes,” advises Dr. Engel.

“However, hydrogen peroxide, drain-clog liquids, solid and liquid fertilizers, and concentrated acids can cause serious eye injury.”

If you’ve been splashed by one of these chemicals, you should flush your eyes immediately as follows:

1. Set a steady stream of warm water using a showerhead or sink faucet. If you prefer, you could fill a small cup or pitcher with warm water instead.
2. Keeping your eyes open, tilt your head to the side and pour the warm water so that it runs gently into and over your eyes. If using warm water directly from the spout, let the stream hit the side of your face and flow gently into your eyes. Don’t look directly into the stream.
3. If you wear contact lenses, remove them after about 1 minute of rinsing. If you’re unable to remove them, continue rinsing — the goal is to neutralize the chemical first.
4. Flush your affected eye for at least 15 minutes. Otherwise, flush your eyes every few minutes until you feel the foreign object has been removed. If you still can’t remove your contact lenses, leave them be and seek eye care as soon as you can.

“The goal is to get a gentle stream of water or solution running over your eyes to flush out whatever got in,” says Dr. Engel. “It’s normal to have some discomfort and some blur after flushing. However, if the eyes are still in extreme pain, are light sensitive or look unusually white (indicating loss of tissue), seek care as soon as possible.”

What to avoid when something is stuck in your eye

If you get something in your eye:

• Don’t rub your eyes or eyelids.
• Don’t touch the colored part of your eye.
• Don’t use any instruments or sharp objects (like tweezers) to remove debris.
• Don’t use random medicated eye drops unless suggested by a healthcare provider.
• Don’t treat yourself if you have discharge, bulging eyes or decreased vision.
• Don’t try to remove anything that’s piercing or penetrating your eye.

When to seek medical attention

If you get metal or chemicals in your eyes, or if you’re unable to remove small debris, make an appointment with a healthcare provider. You should also see your eye doctor if your eyes are:

• Red
• Painful
• Bulging
• Pierced, penetrated or cut
• Sensitive to light
• Dealing with vision loss
• Not getting better within 24 hours

“We’ve got special tools and tricks to take things out,” says Dr. Engel. “If you can remove something safely without causing more harm, that’s good. But if you have any concerns or you’re unsure what to do, come see us.”