There may come a time when you need to know how to get an eyelash out of your eye, or how to remove sand or dirt particles. How to get stuff out of your eye depends on where it is, how it may have gotten there, and how easy it is to access.
Getting something stuck in your eye is never a pleasant experience, but it can happen to anyone. While certain objects are fairly easy to remove or flush out, some items should only be removed by an eye doctor or health care professional.
Common Objects Stuck in Eye
A number of things can get stuck in your eye. Some are more common than others, but each should be carefully handled either at home or with the help of a doctor.
Here are some objects you might encounter in your eye for one reason or another:
- Eyelashes
- Hair
- Dried eye discharge or mucus (“sleep” in your eye)
- Debris, dust, sand, or dirt
- Makeup
- Soap or shampoo
- Clothing fibers or lint
- Small insects
More serious things can get stuck in your eye, too. You should seek medical attention if you encounter the following:
- Hazardous chemicals
- Glass fragments
- Plastic pieces
- Metal shards
Chemicals may splash into your eye if you don’t use eye protection during certain activities. Plastic or metal shards can get stuck in your eye if they are thrown about during yardwork or other jobs.
Glass pieces can get in your eye if you break a dish or other glass container, or if you’re in an accident. In many cases, these types of objects can enter your eye at high speed and cause damage on impact.
If you get one of these more serious objects in your eye, it’s critical that you get emergency care. Do not try to remove them yourself — you could cause even more damage without meaning to.
Note: Many things can get stuck or lodged in your eye, and we may not have them all listed here. Use your best judgment when deciding whether you should attempt to remove something at home or seek professional help. If you’re not sure if something is safe to remove, it’s better to have a doctor check it.
How to Flush Your Eye
Dust, sand, makeup, and other types of debris can typically be flushed out of your eye with clean water, sterile eye wash, or saline solution. This helps to ensure that each little particle is removed. It’s usually possible to rinse away eyelashes, small hairs, and lint as well.
Shampoo, soap, and mild liquid irritants should also be flushed out of your eye immediately. Some products have directions on the label that you can refer to if you need to flush your eye. If not, there are some general steps to follow when it comes to rinsing your eye(s).
Whether you’ve encountered dirt, hair, or soap in your eye, here’s how to wash out your eye(s) using water from a shower or sink:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Remove your contact lenses if you’re wearing them.
- Clean your face and the area around your eyes with a wet washcloth to remove any remaining debris.
- Adjust your sink faucet or showerhead to allow for a soft flow of lukewarm water.
- Tilt your head sideways to let the water run over your face and eyes.
- Try to keep your eyes open while the water streams over to flush out any debris.
- Continue for 15 minutes to ensure any foreign elements wash away completely.
Keep this process as gentle as possible so it doesn’t cause any additional damage or irritation. Be sure not to look directly into the faucet or showerhead and let the water naturally flow over and into your eyes.
If you don’t have access to a sink or shower, the same process can be completed by gently pouring a pitcher of warm water over your eyes. You can also use sterile eye wash or saline solution to flush your eyes instead of running them under clean water — just avoid any medicated solutions.
How to Get Something Out of Your Eye Without Water
Flushing your eye with water or eye wash is common practice, but you can also get an object out without flushing your eye in some cases. A cotton swab, artificial tears, or your natural tears may be helpful in these situations.
If you have sleep in your eye or dried discharge from an infection, try using a warm compress to loosen it up.
Sometimes, tears are all you need to get something out of your eye. Blink repeatedly to form tears, or apply artificial tears. The added moisture should help move an object out of your eye.
Manually Removing an Object
You may be able to remove something small and non-hazardous from your eye using a cotton swab or the edge of a clean cloth. Never rub your eye or force an object out though, as this can make matters worse.
Before touching your face or eyes, always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water and dry them with a clean, lint-free towel. Then remove your contacts if you’re wearing them.
For visible objects in the corner of your eye:
- Moisten the corner of a clean cloth or the tip of a cotton swab.
- Use the moistened tip to gently guide the eyelash or other object from the corner of your eye.
For objects under your upper eyelid:
- Close the affected eye or look down with your eyes.
- Gently take hold of your eyelashes to pull your upper eyelid over the lower lid.
- Open your eye slightly to encourage the object to fall out or move to an accessible area for removal.
For objects under your lower eyelid:
- Gently touch the skin at the top of your cheek with a clean finger.
- Guide the area of skin downward to expose the lower portion of your eye and the object that is caught below it.
- Use a clean cotton swab to guide the object out.
It’s best to use a mirror in a bathroom or other well-lit room. You can also find bright, natural lighting and hold up a handheld mirror during the removal process.
Whatever you encounter, it’s important to remain calm and careful. Sometimes an object may be quick and easy to take out, and sometimes you may need medical attention. If you have any concerns about the safety of removing an object, or feel like you need help, contact your eye doctor immediately.
What to Do with Contacts
Contact lenses should be carefully taken out before attempting to remove an object or chemical substance from your eye. Remember to wash your hands thoroughly before taking your contacts out.
Take a look at your lenses once you’ve removed them. There could be a tear in the lens that caused the irritation in the first place. Sometimes this irritation can feel as though there is a foreign body in your eye. It’s also possible that a foreign body got trapped under a lens.
To avoid further contamination, throw out any lenses that may have come in contact with the chemicals that were flushed. But before you start using new contacts, it’s a good idea to wear your glasses for a while instead to rest your eyes and prevent further irritation.
What to Avoid When Removing Something from Your Eye
Removing something that’s stuck in your eye can be a tricky process. If you’re not careful, you can do more harm than good. While the discomfort may tempt you to rub your eyes, don’t do it! Eye rubbing may further embed the object, worsen the damage, or lead to an infection or corneal abrasion.
To avoid causing harm, remember the following when trying to remove something from your eye:
- Don’t rub your eyes.
- Don’t use unwashed hands or unsanitary tools in or around your eyes.
- Don’t poke at or forcefully try to remove an object.
- Don’t flush your eyes with medicated eye drops or solutions with harsh ingredients.
- Don’t touch or attempt to remove anything from the colored part of your eye (the iris) — this can cause corneal damage.
- Don’t touch or try to remove an item that has pierced your eye or become embedded inside of it.
- Don’t hesitate to contact your eye doctor for help.
If you’re struggling in any way, call your eye doctor and make an appointment.
How to Get Something Out of Your Eye After LASIK
The short answer: Seek help from your doctor.
Eyes are very sensitive after any type of eye surgery — especially laser surgery like LASIK. It’s crucial that you don’t touch or rub your eyes after any procedure because your hands can transfer bacteria and other particles to your eyes. This can then disturb and prolong the healing process.
You will be given a shield to wear over your eyes after your LASIK procedure. This shield is designed to protect your eyes from germs and other particles, and prevent you from touching them by accident.
Now, if something gets behind the shield and winds up in your eye after LASIK, it’s best to see your doctor for assistance. If you try to remove something yourself, it can cause damage to your eyes when they’re extremely vulnerable. Your eye doctor can remove the foreign object and carefully examine your eyes to make sure they’re clean and healing properly.
Be Cautious After LASIK!
The only items that should be making contact with your eyes after surgery are medications, including prescription steroid and antibiotic eye drops. Your doctor orders these to prevent infection and inflammation while you recover. Your doctor may also recommend special eye drops that lubricate your eyes in case of dryness.
Post-surgery symptoms may include discomfort, itching, burning, dryness, and more. These irritating feelings can make it tempting to rub or scratch your eyes, but for best results and damage prevention, you should follow the recovery guidelines your doctor provides.
Safety Tips and Prevention
It can be hard to avoid getting an object or small particle stuck in your eye. On many occasions, something falling into your eye happens unexpectedly. But there are precautions you can take in certain situations.
The best way to prevent foreign objects from entering your eyes is to take the following safety measures:
- Wear eye protection while doing yardwork, completing home projects, or using chemicals.
- Wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection during outdoor activities, especially sports or hiking, to prevent debris from getting into your eyes and block UV radiation.
- Close your eyes as you shampoo your hair to prevent the product from getting into your eyes.
- Avoid touching, rubbing, or poking your eyes for any reason.
- If you have to touch your eyes or the area around them, wash your hands with soap and water beforehand.
- Use eye-safe makeup in your eye area to prevent irritation and avoid using glitter eye makeup.
Also, make sure any products you use in or near your eyes are not expired, including:
- Contact solution
- Eye drops such as artificial tears
- Cosmetics
- Face wash
Expired products can cause pain or burning if they get in your eyes, and may also lead to an infection.
Another tip? Wear glasses instead of contact lenses for a while after removing something from your eye. This gives your eye time to recover, especially if you have lingering discomfort or redness after the object is removed.
When to See a Doctor
It’s important to know the steps to remove a particle or object from your eye safely. But it’s also crucial to understand when not to remove something from your eye.
There’s a big difference between rinsing some dirt from your eye at home and needing emergency medical attention to remove something like glass or metal!
See an eye doctor — and do not attempt to remove something from your eye — if you experience any of the following:
- Trauma or puncture wound
- Pain (as opposed to minor discomfort)
- Eye redness
- Light sensitivity
- Changes in your vision
- Swelling, bulging, or eyelid drooping
- Sores on or near your eye
- Green or yellow discharge
- Inability to open your eye
- Issues after successfully removing something from your eye (feeling as though the object is still there or having lingering irritation)
If you think you need medical attention, make an appointment to be seen as soon as possible. Your eye doctor has the training, equipment, and expertise to:
- Look at a magnified image of the eye to see foreign objects that are too small for you to see in the mirror.
- Flip the eyelid inside out — called lid eversion — to see particles embedded in the inside of the eyelid.
- Apply a fluorescein stain to the eye and use a special cobalt blue light to detect scratches and defects that may have been caused by a foreign body.
- Determine whether something else is causing the foreign body sensation in the eye, such as a bad eye infection (corneal ulcer) or an erosion of the cornea.
When in doubt, contact your eye doctor. Remember that it’s okay to call before or after you attempt to remove any pesky particles. It’s always better to be safe than sorry — and having a foreign object in your eye is no exception.
