Eye Health Center

First aid for objects in the eye

• Don't rub your eye, because this could scratch the outer surface (cornea) of the eye. You may have to keep small children from rubbing their eyes.
• Wash your hands before touching your eye.
• If you wear contact lenses, take the contacts out before trying to remove the object or flush your eye.
• If an object is over the dark center (pupil) of the eye or over the colored part (iris) of the eye, you may try to gently flush it out with water. If the object does not come out with flushing, put on dark glasses, and call your doctor. Do not put any pressure on the eye.
• If the object is on the white part (sclera) of the eye or inside the lower lid, wet a cotton swab or the tip of a twisted piece of tissue and touch the end to the object. The object should cling to the swab or tissue. Some minor irritation is common after you have removed the object in this way.
• Gently flush the eye with cool water. A clean eyedropper may help. Many times the object will be under the upper eyelid and can be removed by lifting the upper lid away and flushing gently.
• Do not try to remove a piece of metal, an object that has punctured the eye, or an object stuck on the eye after flushing with water.
• Never use tweezers, toothpicks, or other hard items to remove any object. Using these items could cause eye damage.

Eye injury in a child

Applying first aid measures for an eye injury in a child may be difficult depending on the child's age, size, and ability to cooperate. Having another adult help you treat the child is helpful. Stay calm and talk in a soothing voice. Use slow, gentle movements to help the child remain calm and cooperative. A struggling child may need to be held strongly so that first aid can be started and the seriousness of the eye injury assessed.

Symptoms to Watch For During Home Treatment

Use the Check Your Symptoms section to evaluate your symptoms if any of the following occur during home treatment:

• Decreased, double, or blurred vision doesn't clear with blinking.
• Pain increases or continues.
• Blood develops over the colored part (iris) of the eye.
• Sensitivity to light (photophobia) develops.
• Signs of infection develop.
• Symptoms become more severe or more frequent.