The eyes are constantly exposed to the open air. Our eyelids and eyelashes protect us from particles that can fall in, and when it is windy and dusty we squint to keep debris out. Even so, sometimes these particles reach the surface of the eye and can injure it.
People who work in maintenance, cleaning, construction and mechanics are advised to wear protective glasses to avoid trauma, eye perforations and other workplace accidents. This is especially important when welding, hammering, drilling, gardening, handling cleaning chemicals, or doing any activity that could put the health of the eyes at risk.
In Roatán it is very common to see patients with metal shavings in their eyes, and they usually wait a long time before coming in. On some occasions they arrive with the eye already infected, for example with a corneal ulcer.
Only a specialist should remove a foreign body from the eye
The only professional who should remove a foreign body from the eye is a specialist in ophthalmology or optometry. We have seen cases where a patient goes to a general practitioner who, trying to remove the object without the proper equipment or a thorough understanding of how the eye works, ends up scratching and damaging the cornea. The safest and most ethical option is to refer the patient to a specialist.
There are people who have lost an eye because of a foreign body, or who end up needing a corneal transplant.
When a particle falls into your eye, it becomes irritated and you feel as if something is trapped inside. Sometimes the particle sticks to the inside of the eyelid, and every time you blink you feel it scratching the cornea. Other times the object penetrates and pierces the cornea, exposing its layers and creating a risk of infection. In that case the foreign body is removed and the eye is patched with an antibiotic for a set period, which allows the corneal cells to regenerate and the eye to move out of danger.
A piece of metal in the eye can cause
- Intense pain
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurry vision
- Tearing
- Redness
- Burning
What to do when something falls into the eye
- Wash your hands with soap and rinse the eye with a gentle stream of clean water, without applying the water directly or with pressure.
- Light up the area and examine the eye to try to locate the particle.
- Do not try to remove the object yourself.
- Do not rub your eyes.
- Close the affected eye and go to a specialist.
What NOT to do
- Do not let just anyone try to remove it.
- Do not self-medicate.
- Avoid eye drops that contain dexamethasone.
Seek care with a specialist when
- You cannot remove the object.
- You can see the particle embedded in the eye.
- You have blurred vision.
- You have severe pain in the eye.
- You notice significant sensitivity to light.
Contact lenses, despite being very useful, are also considered foreign bodies, and their improper use puts the person’s vision and eye health at risk.
Objects we frequently remove from eyes in Roatán
- Metal objects (shavings, wires, nails, hooks)
- Dust, dirt or stones
- Bits of wood
- Insects
- Chemicals
A foreign body can be confused with other causes of a red eye, such as conjunctivitis or a subconjunctival hemorrhage, and it may also be accompanied by more serious blunt eye trauma. That is why a professional evaluation is always advisable.
If you have something trapped in your eye or any discomfort after an accident, do not wait: come to our eye care clinic in Roatán. Acting quickly can save your vision.