Should I Rinse My Eyes After My Experience With a Nurse?
Age and gender: 19 years old, male; Medical history: none; Current medications: none; Vitamins taken: none. Greetings, everyone. I would appreciate your understanding as English is not my primary language. I want to describe an incident I experienced today and seek your advice on whether I should wash my eyes with water. Earlier today, I found myself with two eyelashes lodged in my eye, and despite my efforts, I couldn't remove them. Thus, I visited a nearby health center. Unfortunately, no doctors were available at the time, but a nurse was present to assist. He utilized a cotton swab (Q-tip) by placing it between my eyelid and eye. He positioned it on the cornea and subsequently maneuvered it to slide beneath the eyelid before also repeating this on the upper eyelid. My concern stems from the use of the Q-tip, as I’ve read it can pose risks. Moreover, when he donned his gloves, he initially grasped the glove fingers, which made me uneasy, as he had just eaten without washing his hands. To add to my worries, during the process of cleaning my eyes, he touched his neck, which, due to specific hygiene conditions, I haven't washed for a month and is likely contaminated. Following this, he resumed cleaning my eyes, and although he didn't touch the tip of the Q-tip, his hands were hovering above my face, raising my fears about germs potentially falling into my eye. In summary, I am concerned about three key issues: 1) the appropriateness of using Q-tips for this purpose, 2) the fact that he touched the gloves with unclean hands before donning them, and 3) touching a potentially germ-filled area (his neck) and then continuing the eye cleaning without changing gloves. Thank you for taking the time to read my lengthy account. I would greatly appreciate any guidance on what steps I should take next, if any are necessary.
Answers (1)
6/28/2025, 3:20:43 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel anxious after your experience, especially with concerns about hygiene and eye safety. Let's break it down into key points and advice.
Main Points:
- Use of Q-tips in Eyes: It's generally not recommended to use Q-tips on the eyes due to the risk of scratching the cornea or introducing bacteria.
- Concerns About Hygiene: It's valid to be concerned about the cleanliness of hands and gloves when dealing with such a sensitive area as the eyes.
- Need to Rinse Your Eyes: If your eyes feel uncomfortable or there’s irritation, rinsing might be beneficial.
Explanation:
- Q-tip Hazards: Using a Q-tip in the eye can cause more harm than good. Ideally, only trained professionals should handle foreign objects in the eye in a sterile environment.
- Hygiene Practices: Clean hands are essential when it comes to touching the face or the eye area. If you felt uncomfortable with how the nurse handled hygiene, your feelings are valid.
Next Steps:
-
Rinse Your Eyes: If your eyes feel irritated or uncomfortable, gently rinse them with clean, lukewarm water. You can do this by leaning over a sink and letting water flow into your eyes for several minutes. Make sure to blink frequently.
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Observe Symptoms: Pay attention to whether you experience any redness, discomfort, increased tearing, or changes in vision over the next few days.
-
Avoid Rubbing: Do not rub your eyes, as this can exacerbate irritation or introduce more bacteria.
-
Seek Professional Help if Needed: If your symptoms do not improve or worsen (like persistent pain or vision changes), consider seeking medical attention from an ophthalmologist.
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Maintain Eye Hygiene: Going forward, ensure you keep your hands clean before touching your face and be cautious around your eyes.
I hope this reassurance and guidance help you feel more comfortable about your situation. Take care!
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