Eye Education Series-Foreign body in Eye: Dr.

Murali Mohan Gurram

FOREIGN BODY IN EYE

Due to our polluted environment, its not uncommon for us to experience a foreign body in eye. This is a review to highlight what to do and what not do in such situations. The usual foreign bodies that may lodge in the eye are dust, sand particles, insect wings, plant material like dried leaf dust, debris, makeup (Kajal, Eyeliner), glass pieces etc.

The eye surface is covered by a thin membrane called conjunctiva. In the centre of eye, there is a black circle called cornea. We have two eyelids which protect the eye as shutters. The common sites of foreign body lodgment are shown in figures.

Upper Lid Eversion: to expose Upper subtarsal sulcus: The common site of Foreign body.

Lower lid Eversion: To expose, Lower fornix and conjunctival sac: Other sites for foreign body.

Script by Dr. Murali Mohan Gurram

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Eye Education Series-Foreign body in Eye: Dr. Murali Mohan Gurram

Rarely a projectile foreign body can pierce the eyeball and enter into the globe which is called intra-ocular foreign body and is a serious threat to the eye. Those are to be dealt in a tertiary care eye hospital. This article does not deal with such foreign bodies. The symptoms of foreign body: Usually the person experiences Foreign body sensation, Redness, Watering, photophobia and Irritation. Irritation may increase on blinking as the lid surface rubs onto the foreignbody.

What to do immediately? Usually the foreign bodies get flushed away by the tears and blinking. Blink frequently for few minutes. If it doesnot work, go to next step which is eye wash. If the natural water in the eye (Tears) are not able to flush the foreign body, take the help of external water. There are two techniques of Self Eye-Wash: Eye-Cup technique and Bowl technique. Eye-cup technique: The cup should fit snugly around your eye socket. Fill the cup with lukewarm clean water (Cold water can shock the eye, and Hot water can burn) till the brim. Tilt your head down, position the cup snugly against your eye. The eye is inside the water. Blink several times and move the eye in a circular pattern to help get the water in your eye

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Eye Education Series-Foreign body in Eye: Dr. Murali Mohan Gurram

For the bowl method: The bowl must be large enough for your entire face to fit into it. Place the bowl on a towel so you don't make a mess. Partially fill the bowl with lukewarm water. The bowl should not be filled completely as water will spill over. Dip your whole head in the bowl of water. Blink several times and move the eye in a circular fashion.

Most of the foreign bodies gets flushed away with this eye wash. Some of them may be lodged into the layers of conjunctiva or cornea or may be attached to the surface. These

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Eye Education Series-Foreign body in Eye: Dr. Murali Mohan Gurram

should be removed by an ophthalmologist. An immediate medical advice should be sought. Eye specialist would examine the location and nature of foreign body. He would remove it with either ear-bud or a needle or a forceps after anesthetizing the eye. This is a painless procedure. Very rarely foreign bodies may be deep inside the layers of cornea which may require removal in operation theatre under a microscope.

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Eye Education Series-Foreign body in Eye: Dr. Murali Mohan Gurram

You should consult ophthalmologist when pain or scratching sensation persists even after removal of foreign body, or when your vision decreases. How to help a friend with foreign body in his/her eye: Wash hands before helping the victim. Seat the person in a lighted area. Gently examine the eye. Pull lower eyelid downward. Ask the person to look upward. Then hold upper eyelid while person looks down. If the object is floating in the tear film on the surface of the eye, try using a medicine dropper filled with saline solution or clean, lukewarm water to flush it out. If a medicine dropper isn't available, use a glass of water or hold the person's head under a gentle stream of water. If the above are not available, buy an artificial tears eye drops in a nearby medical shop and use it to flush. If the foreign body could not be flushed out, touch the object with wet cotton bud. Object should cling to the cotton bud. If object is removed, flush eyes with saline/warm water. If object cannot be removed, take him to a doctor. If object is embedded, do not touch. Consult doctor immediately.

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Eye Education Series-Foreign body in Eye: Dr. Murali Mohan Gurram

What not to do? Do not rub the eyes. Its a natural tendency to rub the eyes after foreign body injury, but rubbing would cause more damage, as the foreign body scratches most of the eye surface.

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Eye Education Series-Foreign body in Eye: Dr. Murali Mohan Gurram

Do not attempt to remove an embedded foreign body. The maneuvers can push the foreign body further inside. More over the maneuver can damage the cornea, if not done properly.

Do not attempt to remove a large foreign body. Do not leave a foreign body on the eye. Some foreign bodies when embedded in the superficial layers , may not cause any symptoms, but they should be removed as they may cause infection if left inside. How to prevent foreign bodies? Eye protection is the best prevention. Wear protective goggles when you are in dusty environment. Wear protective goggles during works like welding, construction, chipping
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Eye Education Series-Foreign body in Eye: Dr. Murali Mohan Gurram

etc. Handle your contact lenses carefully and hygienically, as contact lenses are a source of foreign bodies.

(Source of images: Google images)

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