First aid for objects in the eye
- Don't rub your eye,
because this could scratch the outer surface (cornea) of the
eye. You may have to keep small children from rubbing their
- Wash your hands before touching your eye.
- If you
wear contact lenses, take the contacts out before trying to remove the object
or flush your eye.
- If an object is over the dark center (pupil) of
the eye or over the colored part (iris) of the eye, you may try to gently
flush it out with water. If the object does not come
out with flushing, put on dark glasses, and call your doctor. Do not put any pressure on the eye.
- If the object
is on the white part (sclera) of the eye or inside the lower lid, wet a
cotton swab or the tip of a twisted piece of tissue and touch the end to the
object. The object should cling to the swab or tissue. Some minor irritation is
common after you have removed the object in this way.
- Gently flush
the eye with cool water. A clean eyedropper may help. Many times the object
will be under the upper eyelid and can be removed by lifting the upper lid away
and flushing gently.
- Do not try to remove a
piece of metal, an object that has punctured the eye, or an object stuck on the
eye after flushing with water.
- Never use
tweezers, toothpicks, or other hard items to remove any object. Using these
items could cause eye damage.
Eye injury in a child
Applying first aid measures for
an eye injury in a child may be difficult depending on the child's age, size,
and ability to cooperate. Having another adult help you treat the child is
helpful. Stay calm and talk in a soothing voice. Use slow, gentle movements to
help the child remain calm and cooperative. A struggling child may need to be
held strongly so that first aid can be started and the seriousness of the eye
Medicine you can buy without a prescription
| Try a nonprescription
medicine to help treat your fever or pain:|
Talk to your child’s doctor before switching back and
forth between doses of acetaminophen and ibuprofen. When you switch between two
medicines, there is a chance your child will get too much medicine.
| Be sure to follow these
safety tips when you use a nonprescription medicine:|
- Carefully read and follow all directions
on the medicine bottle and box.
- Do not take more than the
- Do not take a medicine if you have had an
allergic reaction to it in the past.
you have been told to avoid a medicine, call your doctor before you take
- If you are or could be pregnant, do not take any medicine other
than acetaminophen unless your doctor has told you to.
- Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than age 20 unless your doctor tells you to.
Symptoms to watch for during home treatment
Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home
- Decreased, double, or blurred vision doesn't
clear with blinking.
- Pain increases or continues.
- Blood develops over the colored part (iris) of the
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Signs of infection develop.
become more severe or more frequent.