Foreign object in the eye: First aid - Mayo Clinic

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Try to flush the object out of your eye with a gentle stream of clean, warm water. Use an eyecup or a small, clean drinking glass positioned with its rim resting on the bone at the base of your eye socket. Another way to flush a foreign object from your eye is to get into a shower and aim a gentle stream of lukewarm water on your forehead over the affected eye while holding your eyelid open. If you're wearing contact lenses, it's best to remove the lens before or while you're irrigating the surface of the eye with water. Sometimes a foreign body can be embedded on the undersurface of the lens.To help someone else Wash your hands with soap and water. Seat the person in a well-lighted area. Gently examine the eye to find the object. Pull the lower lid down and ask the person to look up. Then hold the upper lid while the person looks down. If the object is floating in the tear film on the surface of the eye, try using a medicine dropper filled with clean, warm water to flush it out. Or tilt the head back and irrigate the surface of the eye with clean water from a drinking glass or a gentle stream of tap water.Caution Don't try to remove an object that's embedded in the eye. Don't rub the eye. Don't try to remove a large object that appears to be embedded in the eye or is sticking out between the lids.When to seek emergency careGet immediate medical help if: You can't remove the object with simple irrigation The object is embedded in the eye The person with the object in the eye is experiencing abnormal vision Pain, redness or the sensation of an object in the eye persists after the object is removed ShareTweet Feb. 10, 2015References Subbarao I, et al., eds. American Medical Association Handbook of First Aid and Emergency Care. New York, N.Y.: Random House; 2009:129. Buttaravoli P, et al. Minor Emergencies. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2012. http://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Dec. 3, 2014. Robertson DM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 10, 2014. AskMayoExpert. Eye trauma. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2012. Advertisement Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices Mayo Clinic Store Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic Diet BookMedical News From a Trusted SourceMayo Clinic on Healthy AgingA New Perspective on Alzheimer'sThe Mayo Clinic Diet Online Other Topics in Patient Care & Health Info Healthy Lifestyle Symptoms A-Z Diseases and Conditions A-Z Tests and Procedures A-Z Drugs and Supplements A-Z Appointments Patient and Visitor Guide Billing and Insurance Patient Online Services . 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