Here's How to Safely Flush Debris From Your Eye

Our board-certified ophthalmologists at Clewner & Kelly Eye Center are dedicated to helping you achieve optimal ocular health, visual wellness, and comfort so you can excel at all your daily tasks and hobbies. We offer a full spectrum of services for you and your family, including timely treatment for issues such as pain, discomfort, or harm caused by debris stuck in the eye.

If this should occur, don't hesitate to contact us or see us in person at our Boca Raton, FL practice. And keep the following tips in mind.

How to safely flush debris from your eye

Many random or not-so-random things may find themselves blown, lodged, or accidentally introduced to the eye's surface throughout the day, especially for those with active lifestyles or careers. However, the most common objects may not cause any harm, as they're things like bits of dust, sand, a fiber from clothing or other common materials, or eyelashes. Even though these irritants may not be cause for alarm, they sure make themselves felt and can offer an annoyance.

First, it's important to remember that you shouldn't rub your eye because this may cause a corneal abrasion. It's also essential that you don't introduce any other object to the eye and avoid attempted removal via tweezers, a q-tip, or some other potentially damaging implement. It's also vital to wash your hands before trying to remove anything.

If the debris is small or insubstantial, your eyes may naturally sweep it away with tears. They may increase tear production on their own, or you can try and facilitate the process by repeatedly blinking. Pulling the upper eyelid up or the lower eyelid down will help you see the debris and might clear it.

If not, you can use a sterile damp cotton ball or run a stream of water over the eye. Saline solution, artificial tears, or eye drops may do the job. You may need someone to assist you, or an eye cup or a container of water that you can place around your eye.

Don't hesitate to seek professional help if you feel you need it

If an item does cause a bit of superficial corneal damage, it may heal on its own within a few days and may not require medical assistance. Though we always welcome you to get in touch with us or visit us for an eye exam if you have any concerns, or if the object is large, cannot be removed, is chemical in nature, or harmful. In addition to the cornea, a foreign object may affect the conjunctiva or the mucus membrane that lines the inner eyelids and covers the front of the eye.

Inflammation of this delicate tissue layer, known as conjunctivitis, can cause various forms of discomfort, including the sensation that a small piece of debris is stuck on the surface of the eye. There are numerous potential causes, including those of allergic, bacterial, or physical origin.

Guard your eyes by being proactive

If debris is stuck in your eye, has caused harm, or you have any worries, it's always in your best interest to seek a professional opinion or eye exam with our expert ocular team in Boca Raton, FL.

You can protect your ocular health and visual acuity by reaching out to us as soon as possible and scheduling a consultation with our board-certified ophthalmologists at Clewner & Kelly Eye Center.