We asked Dr. Dixon about Foreign Body Removal and this is what she had to say:
Q. I have sand stuck in my eye, is it dangerous?
Sand can cause abrasions to the cornea, much like sand paper rubbing on a surface. While this can be quite painful, the good news is that the cornea is very resilient and will usually heal without any long term damage. You should flush your eye immediately with water and see your eye doctor as soon as possible.
Q. I have something stuck in my eye, how should I remove it?
Please, PLEASE do not ever try to remove something stuck in your eye on your own. See your eye doctor immediately to have it properly removed. We have specialized tools and use specific magnification and lighting to remove foreign objects from the eye. If not removed properly, this can cause more damage to the delicate tissues in the eye and lead to possible permanent scarring.
I have seen, on several times, metallic foreign bodies that have not been fully removed lead to rust developing in the eye.
Q. I feel like I have dirt in my eye when I wear contact lenses, is that dangerous?
If you feel as though there is something in your eye while you are wearing your contact lenses, it could mean several things. The lenses may have protein or other deposits on the surface, they may be torn or ripped or you may have a foreign body caught underneath the lens.
Remove your contact lens, clean it thoroughly and if you still feel as something is on the lens, replace with a fresh lens. If this does not solve your problem, it is best to follow up with your eye doctor.
Q. I spilled a chemical in my eye, what should I do?
Immediately flush your eye with clean water for at least 15 minutes. It is important to rinse out any traces of the chemical as quickly as possible to prevent a chemical burn. After flushing your eye, see your eye doctor as soon as possible to evaluate for any damage.
If you have an eye emergency, please contact us or learn more about your options here.