Help! I’ve got something in my eye!
When something gets lodged in your eye such as a speck of dust, a wood chip, a metal shaving, an insect or a piece of glass, we call that a foreign body.
Don’t ever try to remove that foreign body from your eye yourself! You’ll do more damage than good – go straight to your optometrist or emergency department for help.
What does a foreign body feel like?
- Sharp pain or irritation in your eye
- Feeling like there’s something in your eye
- Watery and red eye
- Scratchy feeling when blinking
- Blurred vision or loss of vision
- Sensitivity to bright lights
- Bleeding into the white of your eye
How to prevent foreign bodies
- Always wear safety glasses when working in dusty or windy areas, and especially in a place where flying debris is likely
- Use safety glasses or goggles with close-fitting side shields. Regular sunglasses or prescription glasses are not enough
- Don’t stand or walk near anyone who is grinding or drilling
Remember to come see us straight away if this happens! Don’t remove it yourself.
