How to Remove Foreign Objects from Eyes

It is not pleasant to have something in the eye, no matter the size or origin of the foreign body. If a small speck of dust or something similar in size gets in your eye, you can remove it naturally by blinking quickly. If this doesn’t work, wash your eyes or use a cotton swab to try to remove the foreign body. Never rub your eyes to try to remove something from your eyes. If a foreign object in your eye causes severe irritation, do not attempt to remove it yourself, as you may cause further irritation or damage to the eye.

Table of Contents

Self-removal of foreign objects in the eye

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Blink quickly. When you get dust, hair, or another small object in your eyes, your body’s natural reflex is to blink. Blinking quickly can help remove debris and allow tears to wash away the foreign body. The more you blink and cause the tears to flow, the better your chances of removing the foreign body.

Blink by opening and closing your eyes quickly.
You may feel silly, but tears can naturally wash away debris.
If you can’t concentrate to make the tears come out, you can also try yawning to create tears.

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Pull the upper eyelid over the lower eyelid. If you want to remove a foreign body stuck under the eyelid, close your eyes and gently pinch the skin of the upper eyelid, pulling it down so that it covers the lower eyelid. Roll the eyeballs that are flying in. If you’re lucky, this move will help the object loosen and fall out. ^{[1] X Research Source}

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Avoid rubbing your eyes. When something flies into your eyes, your natural reflex is to rub your eyes, but this action can actually be dangerous. If you rub your eyes, a foreign object stuck in the eye can be pushed under the eyelid, pierce the eye, or scratch the cornea. ^{[2] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source} If this happens, you can experience permanent eye damage, even blindness, along with extreme pain. Therefore, do not rub your eyes or put pressure on your eyes when removing a foreign object from your eye. ^{[3] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

Removal of foreign bodies with means of assistance

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Rinse eyes with eye drop solution. Various eye drops on the market can help push the foreign body out of the eye. Eyewash solutions can be used in different ways. Some eye drops are administered indirectly by pouring the solution into an eyewash cup, then placing it over the eye and tilting the head back. Other solutions are administered directly by tilting the head back and instilling or squeezing the solution in the vial into the eye. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS

Nurse

Sarah Gehrke is a Licensed Nurse and Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing intravenous and intravenous (IV) surgical therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapy License from the Amarillo Institute of Massage Therapy in 2008 and her MSc. College of Nursing at the University of Phoenix in 2013.

Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS
Nurse

According to Sarah Gehrke, RN, “If you often work with chemicals or irritants, you need to know how to use an emergency eyewash before damage occurs.”

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Rinse eyes with water. If you have an eyewash cup (a device used to wash your eyes), use it to rinse your eyes with clean, cool water. If not, you can fill a small bowl or cup with water, open your eyes, and splash them over them. You can also keep your eyes under slow running water or a shower to wash away the foreign body. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

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Place the tip of a cotton swab or a corner of a clean towel behind the upper eyelid. Gently pinch the upper eyelid and lift it slightly. Insert the tip of a cotton swab or a clean washcloth behind the eyelid and slowly roll the iris back. Remove the cotton swab or towel and check for any foreign body in the eye. If you are unsure because your eyes are still red or irritated after you have removed the foreign body, check the tip of a cotton swab or towel for the foreign body. ^{[6] X Harvard Medical Schop Trusted Source Go to Source}

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Use a cotton swab or clean towel corner to remove the foreign body. If after rinsing your eyes with solution and/or water, there is still a lump in your eye, use a cotton swab or clean towel to remove the foreign body. Always wipe gently with an up and down motion, never all over your eyes. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

To protect the cornea, look in the opposite direction from where the foreign body entered the eye. For example, if the object falls into the right corner of your eye, look to the left.
Check the cotton swab or towel after each eye to remove foreign objects. If the cotton swab or towel is white, you will see the foreign body after it is removed.

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Have someone help. If you find it difficult to remove the foreign body from your eye and you are unable to look in the mirror, ask someone else for help. Hold your eyelids open and have them check for anything in your eyes. Roll their eyes so they can see the entire surface of the eye. ^{[8] X Harvard Medical Schop Trusted Source Go to Source}

If you feel secure, you can ask them to use a cotton swab to remove the foreign body. Alternatively, you can ask them to help you with eye drops or use a cup of water to rinse your eyes.

Remove large/dangerous objects

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Recognize symptoms that indicate you need medical attention. If your eyes are irritated by anything larger than a speck of dust, you may need to see your doctor to have it removed. If the object is very large, or pierces the eye to the point of bleeding and severe pain, you must see a doctor. Pain is the most obvious sign that your eye is not only mildly irritated, although sometimes the eye can be severely damaged without feeling pain. Symptoms to watch out for include a marked change in eye color, bleeding, abnormalities in the eye, blurred or lost vision, or discharge from the eye. ^{[9] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

If you are unable to remove the foreign body from your eye, you should also consider seeing a medical professional.

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Find medical care. Once you’ve determined the object in your eye is a serious problem, contact your doctor. Large foreign bodies such as shards of glass or fingernails need to be handled by a doctor or healthcare professional. If the foreign body is inside the eye, the doctor may need minor surgery to remove it. ^{[10] X Source of study} The doctor may also use local anesthetic and remove the foreign body, then place gauze on the eye while waiting for recovery. You may also be prescribed antibiotics. ^{[11] X Research Source}

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Do not try to remove a foreign body that is inside the eye. If a piece of glass or something gets in your eye, don’t try to handle it yourself. You will be much more vulnerable when you try to remove the object. Instead, you should see your doctor for proper and safe medical assistance. ^{[12] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Carefully apply eye gauze until you see your doctor.

Advice

Never poke your eye with your finger or touch the pupil in your eye.
Wash your hands before bringing them near your eyes or eyelids to prevent further infection or irritation. Your helper must do the same. ^{[13] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}
Be sure to use clean water to flush the object out of the eye.
If the eye is exposed to chemicals, wash your eyes for at least 10-15 minutes and go to the emergency room right away. ^{[14] X Research Source}

Warning

Never use tweezers or any other tongs to remove a foreign body in the eye. You will very easily injure your eyes or make the condition worse.

Steps

Self-removal of foreign objects in the eye

Removal of foreign bodies with means of assistance

Remove large/dangerous objects

Advice

Warning

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