Would you like to switch to the accessible version of this site?

Go to accessible site Close modal window

Don't need the accessible version of this site?

Hide the accessibility button Close modal window
Accessibility View Close toolbar
Eyeworks at Midtown

316 Gray St.

Houston, TX 77002 US

(713) 942-9080

Open mobile navigation
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Latest News
    • Meet the Optometrist
    • Meet the Staff
  • New Patient Center
    • Online Forms
    • Payment Options
    • Frame Selection
  • Eyecare Services
    • Contact Lens Exams
    • Eye & Vision Exams
    • Lasik Eye Surgery
    • Hard to Fit Contacts
    • Computer Vision
    • Sports Vision
    • Sunglasses
  • Products
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Community Content
    • Common Eye Conditions
      • Age-Related
      • Eye Lids
      • Cognitive and Acquired
      • Vision Impairment
      • Injury & Irritation
      • Changes in Appearance
    • Contact Lenses
    • Eye Diseases
    • Eyeglasses
      • Eyeglass Lenses
    • Eye Symptoms
    • How the Eyes Work
      • Basic Visual Skills
    • Pediatric Vision
    • Protecting Your Eyes
    • Visual Rehabilitation
    • Vision Problems
    • What is Vision Therapy
    • Vision Therapy Programs
    • We Can Help With
      • Cataracts
      • Corneal Disorders
        • Disorders
      • Glaucoma
      • Refractive Disorders
      • Adult Strabismus
      • Retinal Disorders
    • Newsletters
      • Amazing, Interesting Eyes
      • Medical Perspectives
      • Kid's Vision
      • Conditions That Affect Vision
      • Tips for Healthy Eyes
      • Contacts
      • Glasses & Frames
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletters >
  • What to Do When You Get Something in Your Eye

What to Do When You Get Something in Your Eye

  • Created in Newsletters

Man rubbing his eyes

How to Deal With Foreign Objects in Your Eye

Whether it's a speck of dust or a bug, getting something in your eye is a very uncomfortable sensation. Like most people, rubbing your eyes may be your initial reaction to the problem. Unfortunately, that may only make the situation worse and may damage your sensitive eye tissues. So what should you do when there's something stuck in your eye?

Wash Your Hands

When your eye is watering and you can barely see, washing your hands is probably the last thing on your mind. Unfortunately, if you don't wash your hands before touching your eyes, you may be more likely to develop an infection or increased eye irritation from dirt, dust, or debris.

Take a Good Look at Your Eye

It's not easy to get a piece of sawdust or sand out of your eye when you're not sure if the speck is stuck to the side of your eye or is trapped by your upper eyelid. If opening your eye is difficult, you may need to ask a friend to gently lift your upper and lower eyelids to find the foreign object. Moving your eyes up and down or from side to side may make it easier to find the foreign body.

Remove the Object or Substance Safely

Some foreign bodies can be removed simply by gently pulling your upper eyelid over the lower one. If that doesn't work, flushing your eye with eye drops can be helpful. Flood your eye with the drops, then blink a few times to help the object exit your eye.

A cotton swab or a cotton ball may make it easier to remove something from your eye. Pour a few eye drops or a small amount of saline solution over the swab or cotton ball, then gently place the cotton against the object. When you remove the cotton, check if the object is now stuck to it.

Don't use a swab or cotton ball if the object is stuck to your cornea, the clear, rounded layer of tissue over your iris and pupil. Touching this area could damage or scratch the cornea, causing a painful scratch. See your optometrist if you can't easily remove the foreign body.

Do-it-yourself removal isn't a good idea if a piece of glass or metal is stuck in your eye or an object has penetrated your eye. If you try to remove the object yourself, you could cause permanent damage to your eye. Call your optometrist immediately or go to the emergency room if this happens.

How to Handle Chemicals In Your Eye

Chemicals in toilet cleaner, bleach, battery acid, dishwasher soap, paint, and other products can irritate your eye or cause burns and damage. Flushing your eye with water is a must if this happens. Hold your eye under the faucet or shower for at least 15 to 20 minutes if this happens. Go to the emergency room or call 911 immediately if your eye has been exposed to a caustic chemical.

When a Contact Lens Is Stuck in Your Eye

Is your contact lens trapped under your upper eyelid? One of these techniques may help dislodge it:

  • Use artificial tears or eye drops to unstick the lens and move it downward
  • Pull your eyelid up gently while looking down
  • Place your finger on the outside of your upper eyelid and gently push the lens down (stop if the lens doesn't budge)

Let your optometrist know if you can't safely remove a stuck object or have any of these signs or symptoms after removing a foreign body from your eye:

  • Vision change
  • Pain
  • Bleeding
  • Change in the size of your pupil
  • Trouble moving your eye
  • Your eye sticks out more than usual
  • Difficulty opening or closing your eye
  • A feeling that something is still stuck in your eye

Whether there's something stuck in your eye or it's time for your next vision exam, we can help you protect your vision. Give us a call and let us know how we can help you.

Sources:

All About Vision: How to Safely Remove Something from Your Eye, 11/21

WebMD: What Should You Do When You Get Something in Your Eye?, 6/21/20

Medline Plus: Eye - Foreign Object In

NCBI: Small objects in the eye: Overview, 5/25/20

American Academy of Ophthalmology: How Do I Get a Contact Lens Out from the Top of My Eye?, 9/18/12

  • Common Eye Conditions
    • Age-Related
    • Eye Lids
    • Cognitive and Acquired
    • Vision Impairment
    • Injury & Irritation
    • Changes in Appearance
  • Contact Lenses
  • Eye Diseases
  • Eyeglasses
    • Eyeglass Lenses
  • Eye Symptoms
  • How the Eyes Work
    • Basic Visual Skills
  • Pediatric Vision
  • Protecting Your Eyes
  • Visual Rehabilitation
  • Vision Problems
  • What is Vision Therapy
  • Vision Therapy Programs
  • We Can Help With
    • Cataracts
    • Corneal Disorders
      • Disorders
    • Glaucoma
    • Refractive Disorders
    • Adult Strabismus
    • Retinal Disorders
  • Newsletters
    • Amazing, Interesting Eyes
    • Medical Perspectives
    • Kid's Vision
    • Conditions That Affect Vision
    • Tips for Healthy Eyes
    • Contacts
    • Glasses & Frames

Featured Services

Click to find out more

  • Services

    We strive to provide complete care for our patients. Learn more about all the services we provide.
  • Make An Appointment

    We will do our best to accommodate your busy schedule. Schedule an appointment today!
  • Online Forms

    Our patient forms are available online so they can be completed in the convenience of your own home or office.

Office Hours

Monday:

Closed

Tuesday:

10:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

10:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

10:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

10:00 am-3:00 pm

Saturday:

10:00am-3:00pm, CLOSED the Last Saturday of the month.

Sunday:

Closed

Location

Find us on the map

Testimonial

  • "Great selection of high end glasses with helpful service. I'll come here for my next pair of glasses. This place accepts Cigna vision insurance."
    Ram A. / Houston, TX

Featured Articles

Read up on informative topics

  • Vision Loss and Mental Health

    Feeling depressed after vision loss? ...

    Read More
  • Treatment Options for Presbyopia

    Over 40 and finding it hard to see close-up? One of these presbyopia treatment options could improve your vision. ...

    Read More
  • Summertime Allergies and Your Eyes

    Do you know how to treat your summertime eye allergy symptoms? ...

    Read More
  • Signs You May Have Macular Degeneration

    Could changes in your central vision be caused by macular degeneration? ...

    Read More
  • Glaucoma and You: The Importance of Eye Exams

    Want to avoid vision loss due to glaucoma? Schedule a visit with the eye doctor. ...

    Read More
  • Important Healthy Eye Habits for Kids

    Want to keep your kids' eyes as healthy as possible? Try these tips. ...

    Read More
  • Healthy Vision Month

    Get ready for Healthy Vision Month by upgrading your vision habits. ...

    Read More
  • Presbyopia eye drops

    Would you like to stop squinting when you look at close objects? A new kind of eyedrops can improve presbyopia, an age-related vision problem. ...

    Read More
  • Dry Eye

    Sometimes your eyes don’t make enough tears or the tears evaporate too fast because they don’t have the right amount of compounds in them. This is called dry eye. Up to 5% of Americans complain of some form of dry eye. Individuals who wear contact lenses or have undergone LASIK or other types of ...

    Read More
  • Subconjunctival Hemorrhage

    Similar to a bruise under the skin, a subconjunctival hemorrhage happens when a small blood vessel located between the sclera (white portion of an eye) and the conjunctiva (lining on the surface of an eye) breaks and covers the sclera with blood. Unlike broken blood vessels located under the skin which ...

    Read More

Newsletter Signup

Sign up for more articles

Social Media

  • Copyright © 2022 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Site Map