What to do first
Blink repeatedly; tears often carry a loose particle to the corner of the eye. Rinse with clean water or saline, pulling the lower lid down and looking up, then pulling the upper lid out over the lower and letting the lashes sweep. Do not rub, which grinds the particle into the cornea. If the sensation persists, if the particle is visible on the cornea, or if it is metal, be seen the same day. If something struck the eye at speed, from hammering, grinding, a nail gun or an explosion, it may have penetrated the eye: do not press on it, cover it loosely, and go to an emergency department.
Removal at the slit lamp
Numbing drops are placed and the eye examined under magnification, with the upper lid everted to check its underside, where particles commonly hide and scratch the cornea with each blink. A superficial particle is lifted with a moistened cotton swab or a fine needle under the microscope; embedded particles are removed with a needle or a small burr. A metal particle leaves a rust ring within hours, which is removed with the burr at the same visit or a day later once it has softened. The procedure takes a few minutes and is painless under the drops.
Afterward
The cornea is scratched where the particle sat and heals within one to three days. Antibiotic drops or ointment protect it while it does; lubricants and, for larger abrasions, a bandage contact lens improve comfort. The eye is checked after a day or two if the abrasion was significant. Wear safety glasses for the activity that caused it.
When it is more than a foreign body
A particle that has penetrated the cornea or the wall of the eye, a chemical particle such as lime or cement, or an organic particle such as a thorn that can carry fungal infection is treated differently and sometimes surgically. The history of what hit the eye and how fast is the clue, and it is asked at every visit for a foreign body.
Is this right for your eyes?
Nothing on this page is a diagnosis. Whether this is the right choice for you is decided by a full examination at one of our 4 offices: Pasadena, Huntington Beach, Woodland Hills and Beverly Hills.
About this content: This page was written with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed for medical accuracy by Dr. Bavand Youssefzadeh, DO. It is general information, not medical advice, and does not replace an eye examination. Individual results vary. Read our medical disclaimer.
