Foreign Body in the Eye: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and When to Seek Help

A foreign body in the eye is one of the most common reasons people seek urgent eye care. Whether it’s a speck of dust, a metal fragment, or a contact lens issue, the sensation can be alarming—and for good reason. Some eye foreign bodies are harmless and easy to remove, while others can lead to infection, scarring, or even vision loss if not handled correctly.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know: why it happens, what it feels like, what not to do, and when to see Dr. Garcia immediately.

What Is a Foreign Body in the Eye?

A foreign body is anything that isn’t normally present on the surface or inside the eye. Most commonly, objects lodge in the:

• Cornea (the clear front surface of the eye)

• Conjunctiva (the thin membrane lining the eyelids and surface of the eye)

• Under the eyelid

• Inside the eye (intraocular) – a true emergency

Common Causes

Foreign bodies can come from everyday activities or occupational hazards, such as:

Environmental particles

• Wind-blown dust

• Sand

• Vegetation

• Eyelash debris

Work-related hazards

• Metal or wood shavings (from grinding, drilling, hammering)

• Chemicals or liquids

• Glass fragments

Household sources

• Cooking splatters

• Cleaning products

• Makeup particles or broken cosmetic tools

Contact lenses

• Torn lenses

• Trapped lashes or dust beneath the lens

Symptoms

Depending on the type and location of the object, symptoms may include:

• Sharp pain or scratchy sensation

• Redness

• Tearing or watery eyes

• Blurred vision

• Light sensitivity

• Feeling like something is stuck, even after blinking

• Inability to keep the eye open

If the object penetrates the eye, symptoms may escalate to severe pain, decreased vision, or fluid leakage—this is an emergency.

What To Do if You Suspect a Foreign Body

1. Stop rubbing your eye

Rubbing can push the object deeper, cause abrasions, or embed metal fragments.

2. Blink several times

Blinking may flush out smaller particles naturally.

3. Rinse the eye with clean water or saline

Use:

• Artificial tears

• Sterile saline

• Clean lukewarm water

Try irrigating for several minutes.

What NOT to Do

• Don’t rub your eye.

• Don’t use sharp tools like tweezers or cotton swabs.

• Don’t try to remove embedded foreign bodies (especially metal).

• Don’t rinse chemical exposures without flushing continuously for 15–20 minutes.

When to Seek Medical Attention Immediately

See an eye care professional or go to urgent care right away if:

• You suspect a metal, glass, or wood fragment

• You were working with high-speed tools (grinders, drills, lawn equipment)

• The object is embedded in the eye

• Vision is decreased

• Pain persists after rinsing

• A rust ring is visible

• You experience sensitivity to light

• You cannot remove the object yourself after flushing

Dr. Garcia may use:

• Fluorescein dye

• Numbing medication

• Magnification

• Specialized tools

• Antibiotic drops

• Removal of a rust ring (if caused by a metallic particle)

Penetrating foreign bodies often require emergency surgical care.

Possible Complications

While many foreign bodies are harmless, complications can occur if the object is sharp, contaminated, or not removed promptly:

• Corneal abrasion

• Infection (keratitis, conjunctivitis)

• Rust ring from metallic particles

• Corneal scarring

• Iritis (inflammation of the iris)

• Vision loss (rare but serious)

Prompt evaluation greatly reduces the risk of long-term issues.

Prevention Tips

• Wear ANSI-certified protective eyewear when working with tools, machinery, or chemicals

• Use safety goggles during sports with flying debris

• Avoid wearing contact lenses during dusty or high-risk environments

• Handle cosmetics and makeup tools carefully

• Keep car vents pointed away from your face to avoid blowing debris into the eyes

Final Thoughts

A foreign body in the eye can range from mildly irritating to vision-threatening. When in doubt, always seek professional evaluation—eyes are too important to risk delay.