There is Something in my Eye!

optique-eyecare — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 03:32:54 +0000

When something falls or drops into your eye, it is called a foreign body. I have seen foreign bodies that include metal, wood, plastic and even cosmetics. If the foreign body sticks to the cornea (front of the eye) or gets trapped under the eye lid then it can cause severe pain.

What is the best course of action? Immediately, flush the eye with sterile saline and see your eye doctor. The sooner the foreign body is removed, the better. Your optometrist will give you an anesthetic eye drop and use a small hand tool to remove the object and possibly follow up with antibiotic eye drops. Be prepared for a follow up visit the next day.

A final word of caution: wear safety glasses when indicated to prevent foreign bodies from getting into your eyes.

There is a Contact Lens Stuck in my Eye!!!

optique-eyecare — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 05:32:54 +0000

If you have ever had a contact lens get stuck in your eye, then you know it is quite alarming. If you are jittery then take a mental break for 5-10 minutes before attempting to remove the lens. Remember that a contact lens cannot get lost in your eye. There is a cul de sac between the lid and the eye so it may become lodged under the lid but can be rinsed or massaged back (if soft) onto the cornea or front of the eye. If abrasions are caused during the removal, then the eye will hurt and become red but usually heals overnight. See photos below. The first shows central abrasions immediately after a “stuck” contact lens was removed and the second shows a “happy” normal eye 24 hours later.

: Figure 1: Subtle white spots (abrasions) in front of pupil. Eye is watery and red. Lids are swollen.

: Figure 2: Eye is normal. Abrasions are gone.

Instructions for a soft contact lens retrieval
Step 1: Remain calm
Step 2: Wash your hands
Step 3: Add a lubricating drop to the eye
Step 4: Look up and use a finger to pull the contact lens down to the white part of eye
Step 5: Then pinch the dislodged lens with your pointer finger and thumb

Instructions for a rigid gas permeable contact lens retrieval
Step 1: Remain calm
Step 2: Wash your hands
Step 3: Add a lubricating drop to the eye
Step 4: Look opposite of where the contact lens is. Example: look down if gas perm is under top lid
Step 5: Close your eyes and press your fingernail on the outer edge of the gas perm lens
Step 6: Through closed lids, look at the finger that is pressing the edge of the gas perm lens
Step 7: May have to repeat several time; of course a moistened “plunger” works easier, if you have one. Do not try to massage a gas permeable lens into place

In the event, you are not able to remove the contact lens from your eye then stop trying. There are too many instances when a patient has tried to repeatedly remove a contact lens from the eye when the contact lens had already fallen out. This leads to a painful, red eye usually with abrasions that must heal. Not pleasant. Contact your eye doctor for assistance.

optiqueeyecare

There is Something in my Eye!

There is a Contact Lens Stuck in my Eye!!!