Any particle or material gets into eye is called as foreign body in eye. It can be serious or non serious depending on whether it is a superficial one or penetrating one. Incidences of foreign body don?t vary according to sex. A foreign body can be any object like metal particle, glass, wood or sand or dust particle which unfortunately gets falls in the eye. It can either remain superficially adhered to the cornea or can even penetrate the eye globe. Penetrating eye foreign bodies are generally the one with momentum and they speedily penetrate the globe. Incidences of foreign body don?t vary according to sex.

 

Any particle or material gets into eye is called as foreign body in eye. It can be serious or non serious depending on whether it is a superficial one or penetrating one. Incidences of foreign body don’t vary according to sex.

A foreign body can be any object like metal particle, glass, wood or sand or dust particle which unfortunately gets falls in the eye. It can either remain superficially adhered to the cornea or can even penetrate the eye globe. Penetrating eye foreign bodies are generally the one with momentum and they speedily penetrate the globe. Incidences of foreign body don’t vary according to sex.

Serious or not serious

Generally superficial foreign bodies are non serious in nature as they stick to the front of the eye or get trapped under one of the eyelids so they actually don’t enter the eye. Penetrating eye foreign bodies do penetrate the outer layer of eye that is either sclera or cornea. Most of the penetrating injuries occur during the act of grinding or hammering.

How severe can be the pain

Superficial foreign bodies are very uncomfortable as they will cause eye irritation leading to reddish and watery eye. Superficial eye foreign bodies are painful and if unfortunately it stuck beneath the upper eyelid then the pain will go on increasing every time the eye closes. On the contrary penetrating eye injuries generally cause less pain although they are more serious in nature.

How to remove a foreign body from eye

• Use lukewarm clean water or saline solution to clear the eye
• If comfortable eye bath can be done using a eye cup or even a glass resting on the base of eye socket
• While removing from someone else eye kindly ensure that lighting is proper and then take a look at eye by pulling both the eyelids one by one and if you can find something try to remove it out with lukewarm water or saline solution
• Don’t use solid objects like matchsticks, cotton buds etc.
• Don’t rub the eye
• If you see a penetrating injury don’t try to remove the object
• In any of the case kindly consult the doctor as soon as possible

Further Complications

• Deformity
• Infection
• Penetrating injuries can result in blood in front chamber of eye
• Significant eyelid swelling and many more…