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HomeHealth TopicEye Care and Vision

6 Tips to Quickly and Safely Get Something Out of Your Eye

Catherine Cox, MDKarla Robinson, MD
Written by Catherine Cox, MD | Reviewed by Karla Robinson, MD
Published on July 5, 2022

Key takeaways:

  • If you get something in your eye, be sure not to panic. Usually your eye waters enough to flush it out on its own.

  • If you have a stubborn object in your eye, you may have to wash it out. Flushing your eye with water or saline may help.

  • You may need an eye exam if pain and tearing persist for more than a few hours. 

Close-up of a person rubbing their eye.
GizemBDR/iStock via Getty Images Plus

For most people, the pain and discomfort of something landing in your eye is all too familiar. And the whole world stops until you can get it out. Usually your eyelids and eyelashes act as a natural barrier. And your natural blink reflex conveniently sweeps away larger objects. 

But, as you’ve likely experienced, smaller objects can find their way in. This can happen in the comfort of your own home or outside in windy and dusty environments. Another way small objects get into your eye is when you rub your eyelids with a soiled hand.

What happens when something gets in your eye?

When an object lands in your eye, it usually finds a place to settle. Places where it may lodge include:

  • Under your eyelids

  • In the conjunctiva (white surface of your eye)

  • In the cornea (clear outer layer of the eye) 

The eye has a big network of nerves that helps to coordinate sensation and the blink reflex. The cornea is the most densely innervated area of the body. It’s actually 300 to 600 times more sensitive than skin. 

And this is a good thing. Without this degree of sensation, you wouldn’t know — or feel — when a harmful object enters your eye. The cornea is perfectly programmed to protect your eye from injury and vision loss.

What foreign objects commonly get stuck in the eye?

Any number of foreign objects can land in the eye and cause a great deal of discomfort and tearing. The most common culprit is your own eyelash.

Other things that can get stuck in your eye may include:

  • Dirt

  • Bits of metal

  • Pollen 

  • Animal hairs 

  • Bugs 

  • Contact lenses 

  • Dried mucous

  • Makeup particles 

6 tips to get something out of your eye

Your tears will flush out most objects that land in your eye. And you can use a clean finger to gently remove other particles. The key is to do it safely without risking damage to the surface of the eye. 

Here are some easy tips to try at home:

  1. Make sure you can see. Find a well-lit place where you can look in the mirror.

  2. Wash your hands. This is important to remove any unwanted particles and prevent infection.

  3. Look at all surfaces of your eye. This includes the cornea, the conjunctiva, and under the eyelids. To look under the eyelids, use an index finger to gently pull your lower eyelid down and away from the eyeball. Check for debris in this lower pocket. If the discomfort is under your upper eyelid, then gently pull the upper eyelid up and off the eyeball.

  4. Rotate your eye in every direction. This may help small objects to drop down into view.

  5. Be gentle. If you see an object on the white part of your eye, try to gently touch the object and lift it directly off your eye. If an object is in the center of the eye, try to blink a few times until it moves to the white part of the eye.

  6. Flush the eye. You can start by splashing water in your eye over the sink. You may also fill a small cup with water or saline eye wash. To do this, place the rim of the cup around your eye, keeping your face down. Briskly tip your head back, leaving your eye open to let the cup of water wash into the eye. Repeat this as many times as necessary.

What should I avoid if something is stuck in my eye?

There are a few things you should not do if something is stuck in your eye. Remember to avoid:

  • Using any sharp objects near the eye: Avoid using tweezers or other instruments to remove a foreign object. Judging how far your hand is from your eyeball is very difficult when looking in the mirror. 

  • Touching your cornea: Avoid touching the center part of the eye directly. This is very painful, and you can easily give yourself a corneal abrasion. Even using a cotton-tip applicator can cause a corneal abrasion if you use it directly on the cornea.

  • Vigorously rubbing your eyelids: If a piece of metal or sand gets in the eye, rubbing your eyelids can cause tiny scratches on the surface of your eye.

How long does an irritated eye take to heal?

An irritated eye often heals overnight or sometimes even in a few hours. Major irritation can take 1 to 2 days to settle down.

Sometimes the eye can still feel irritated even after you remove the foreign object. Using over-the-counter artificial tears or lubricating drops can help soothe your eye. They may also help speed up your recovery.

Be careful to avoid eye drops that promise to remove eye redness. These can worsen eye irritation when used for prolonged periods.

If the irritation persists for more than 1 to 2 days, it’s best to schedule a visit with your eye care provider. An eye care professional will:

  • Use a microscope to inspect the surface of your eye for small objects

  • Check underneath your eyelids to look for both small and large objects

  • Check for scratches on the surface of your eye

  • Screen for any infections

  • Rule out any other potential causes of irritation

If a foreign object is still present, they can use special tools to locate and remove the object without damaging your eye.

What else can make it feel like something is stuck in your eye? 

Many eye conditions can cause the sensation of something being stuck in the eye. That’s why it’s important to get an eye exam if your symptoms persist. Examples may include:

The bottom line

There are some simple at-home tricks you can use to clear your eye of a foreign object. Remember to be patient and gentle to avoid further eye irritation or injury. Most small particles will wash away with tears. But for stubborn objects, you may need to flush your eyes. 

If your symptoms persist, seek care from an eye care professional. They can help figure out what’s causing your symptoms and find the best treatment for you.

References

Boyd, K. (2021). What is blepharitis? American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Boyd, K. (2022). Lubricating eye drops for dry eyes. American Academy of Ophthalmology.

View All References (2)

Mukamal, R. (2017). Why do humans have eyebrows and eyelashes? American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Yang, A. Y., et al. (2018). Corneal innervation and sensation: The eye and beyond. Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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