Eye Foreign Body

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

An eye foreign body is something that gets stuck in your eye. Small objects may be blown or dropped into your eye. Tiny pieces of metal, dust, wood, and sand are the most common causes. Your risk increases when you are in windy weather or are doing construction work.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Eye drops: Artificial tears may help soothe your irritated eye.
  
  
• Antibiotic eye medicine: This may be given as an eye drop or ointment. Antibiotic medicine helps fight or prevent an infection caused by germs called bacteria.
  
  
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine: This group of medicine is also called NSAIDs. NSAIDs help decrease pain and swelling. You can buy this medicine as a pill without a prescription. You may instead be given a prescription for a form of this medicine to put on your eye. NSAIDs can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people.
  
  
• Pain medicines: This is medicine to take away or decrease pain. Do not wait until the pain is severe before you take your medicine.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed: Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell him if you are taking any vitamins, herbs, or other medicines. Keep a list of the medicines you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits.

Follow up with your primary healthcare provider or ophthalmologist as directed:

You should be seen for a follow-up visit in 3 to 5 days unless your symptoms get worse. In some situations you will need to be seen within 1 or 2 days. These include if you still have foreign bodies in your eye that need to be removed or the foreign body went deep into your eye. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

How to prevent further injury to your eye:

• Do not rub your eye.
  
  
• Do not wear contact lenses until your eye is healed, or as directed.
  
  
• Always wear safety glasses, eye shields, or goggles when you do construction work.
  
  
• Rest your eyes as directed. Ask your primary healthcare provider if you should avoid reading or computer work.

Contact your primary healthcare provider or ophthalmologist if:

• Your symptoms, such as eye pain or redness continue, even after the foreign body is removed.
  
  
• You notice white or yellow drainage from your eye.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition.

Return to the emergency department if:

• Your pupil looks misshapen. Your pupil is the black circle in your eye.
  
  
• You have pain deep in your eye.
  
  
• You have decreased or blurry vision.
  
  
• You have new or worse eye swelling.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.