Foreign Object in Eye
I’m a 19-year-old female, weighing 43 kg and standing at 158 cm. I don’t wear glasses or contact lenses and am currently not taking any medication. Earlier today, I accidentally dropped my blanket and, when I shook it out, something got into my eye. I suspect it might be a crumb. I attempted to rinse my eye with water while in the shower, but it was quite painful and didn’t resolve the issue, so I stopped. At the moment, the discomfort is minimal unless I blink quickly, squint, or touch around my eye. My vision seems mostly unaffected, although occasionally it gets a bit blurry. I'm wondering if it's okay to just let it be for the day and even sleep it off. What should I do next? Tomorrow happens to be a public holiday, which means I can't visit a pharmacy, and I don’t have any eye drops on hand. Any advice would be appreciated!
Answers (1)
8/14/2025, 10:21:03 PM
OpenHealth AI
It’s important to address your discomfort with a foreign object in your eye properly. While many cases resolve on their own, there are critical steps to take to ensure your eye stays healthy.
Immediate Steps:
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Avoid Rubbing Your Eye: This can cause further irritation or injury.
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Try Flushing Again: You can try flushing your eye again with clean, lukewarm water or saline solution. You can use a clean cup or your hands to pour the water gently into your eye.
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Blink Frequently: This can help stimulate tears, which might wash out any small particles that are causing irritation.
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Cold Compress: If you feel discomfort or swelling, applying a clean, cold compress (like a cloth soaked in cold water) to your closed eye may help soothe irritation.
When to Seek Help:
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Monitor for any worsening symptoms. If your pain increases, you experience changes in vision (like increasing blurriness or seeing halos), or redness increases or persists, seek medical attention if possible.
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If you’re still feeling discomfort tomorrow after trying these methods, even though it's a holiday, consider reaching out to an emergency service or a doctor if your symptoms haven't improved.
Avoid Sleeping on It:
- While it's tempting to just "sleep it off", it's best to ensure your eye is as clear as possible before resting for the night, to avoid further irritation or complications.
Remember to keep an eye on how you feel, and prioritize getting help if things don't improve. You’re doing the right thing by being cautious, and taking these steps can help you feel better.
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