Eye - foreign object in

Foreign body; Particle in the eye

The eye will often flush out small objects, like eyelashes and sand, through blinking and tearing. DO NOT rub the eye if there is something in it. Wash your hands before examining the eye.

Examine the eye in a well-lit area. To find the object, look up and down, then from side to side.

If you can't find the object, it may be on the inside of one of the eyelids. To look inside the lower lid, first look up then grasp the lower eyelid and gently pull down. To look inside the upper lid, you can place a cotton-tipped swab on the outside of the upper lid and gently fold the lid over the cotton swab. This is easier to do if you are looking down.
If the object is on an eyelid, try to gently flush it out with water or eye drops. If that does not work, try touching a second cotton-tipped swab to the object to remove it.
If the object is on the white of the eye, try gently rinsing the eye with water or eye drops. Or, you can GENTLY touch a cotton swap to the object to try to remove it. If the object is on the colored part of the eye, DO NOT attempt to remove it. Your eye may still feel scratchy or uncomfortable after removing an eyelash or other tiny object. This should go away within a day or two. If you continue to have discomfort or blurred vision, get medical help.

Contact your health care provider and DO NOT treat yourself if:

You have a lot of eye pain or sensitivity to light.
Your vision is decreased.
You have red or painful eyes.
You have flaking, discharge, or a sore on your eye or eyelid.
You have had trauma to your eye, or you have a bulging eye or a drooping eyelid.

If you have been hammering, grinding, or could have come in contact with metal fragments, DO NOT attempt any removal. Go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

Open References

References

Crouch ER, Crouch ER, Grant TR. Ophthalmology. In: Rakel RE, Rakel DP, eds. Textbook of Family Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 17.

Fowler GC. Corneal abrasions and removal of corneal or conjunctival foreign bodies. In: Fowler GC, ed. Pfenninger and Fowler's Procedures for Primary Care. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 200.

Goodloe JM, Soulek J. Foreign bodies. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 51.

Knoop KJ, Dennis WR. Ophthalmologic procedures. In: Roberts JR, Custalow CB, Thomsen TW, eds. Roberts and Hedges' Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 62.

What to do when something gets in your eye
Animation

Eye - illustration
The eye is the organ of sight, a nearly spherical hollow globe filled with fluids (humors). The outer layer (sclera, or white of the eye, and cornea) is fibrous and protective. The middle layer (choroid, ciliary body and the iris) is vascular. The innermost layer (retina) is sensory nerve tissue that is light sensitive. The fluids in the eye are divided by the lens into the vitreous humor (behind the lens) and the aqueous humor (in front of the lens). The lens itself is flexible and suspended by ligaments which allow it to change shape to focus light on the retina, which is composed of sensory neurons.
Eye
illustration
Eyelid eversion - illustration
To help find an object that is in the eye, grasp the lower eyelid and gently pull down on it to look under the lower eyelid. To look under the upper lid, place a cotton-tipped swab on the outside of the upper lid and gently flip the lid over the cotton swab.
Eyelid eversion
illustration
Foreign objects in eye - illustration
Foreign objects in the eye usually are flushed out through the natural blinking and tearing action of the eye. If the foreign body can be seen on the inner surface of either the lower or upper lid, try to gently flush it out with water or use a cotton-tipped swab to evert the eyelid and inspect the underside. Seek medical attention if the foreign body cannot be removed, or if there is still discomfort or blurred vision after removal.
Foreign objects in eye
illustration

What to do when something gets in your eye
Animation

Eye - illustration
The eye is the organ of sight, a nearly spherical hollow globe filled with fluids (humors). The outer layer (sclera, or white of the eye, and cornea) is fibrous and protective. The middle layer (choroid, ciliary body and the iris) is vascular. The innermost layer (retina) is sensory nerve tissue that is light sensitive. The fluids in the eye are divided by the lens into the vitreous humor (behind the lens) and the aqueous humor (in front of the lens). The lens itself is flexible and suspended by ligaments which allow it to change shape to focus light on the retina, which is composed of sensory neurons.
Eye
illustration
Eyelid eversion - illustration
To help find an object that is in the eye, grasp the lower eyelid and gently pull down on it to look under the lower eyelid. To look under the upper lid, place a cotton-tipped swab on the outside of the upper lid and gently flip the lid over the cotton swab.
Eyelid eversion
illustration
Foreign objects in eye - illustration
Foreign objects in the eye usually are flushed out through the natural blinking and tearing action of the eye. If the foreign body can be seen on the inner surface of either the lower or upper lid, try to gently flush it out with water or use a cotton-tipped swab to evert the eyelid and inspect the underside. Seek medical attention if the foreign body cannot be removed, or if there is still discomfort or blurred vision after removal.
Foreign objects in eye
illustration

A Closer Look

Talking to your MD

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Tests for Eye - foreign object in

Review Date: 11/8/2023

Reviewed By: Franklin W. Lusby, MD, Ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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Health Library

Eye - foreign object in

Go to the nearest emergency room

References

What to do when something gets in your eye

Eye - illustration

Eye

Eyelid eversion - illustration

Eyelid eversion

Foreign objects in eye - illustration

Foreign objects in eye