Foreign Object in the Eye

The eye is very delicate and even the slightest spect on dust on the surface can cause the casualty great discomfort. Usually these objects can be 'blinked' or washed from the eye, but complications can arise if the object is sticking to the eye, penetrating the surface of the eyeball or resting on the iris (coloured part) or pupil. In these cases it is safest to seek proper medical attention.

Recognition:
There is often:

• Pain and discomfort.
• Redness and watering of the affected eye.
• Blurred vision.
• Eyelid of affected eye tightly shut or in spasm.

Treatment (object on white of eye):

• Sit the casualty down in bright light and stand behind them.
• Ask the casualty to tilt their head back and then carefully separate the eyelids with your forefinger and thumb.
• Carefully examine each part of the eye by asking the casualty to look up, down, left and right.
• If you can see a foreign object on the white of the eye try and rinse it out with a glass of water or sterile eye wash.
• Lean the casualty's head towards the injured side and position a towel on their shoulder.
• If you are unable to rinse the object away, dampen a swab (clean tissue, hankerchief etc.) and try to gently lift the object instead.
• If lifting the object doesn't work either take the casualty to hospital.
• If there is an object under the upper eyelid ask the casualty to pull the upper lid down over the lower lid. Hopefully this will brush the object away.
  

Treatment (iris, pupil or embedded object):

• DO NOT touch any object sticking to the iris or pupil or embedded anywhere on the eye.
• Place a sterile eyepad over the eye.
• Take the casualty to hospital.