If simple blinking does not help, stretch your upper eyelid over your lower eyelid and then blink your eye repeatedly. This allows the lashes on the lower lid to sweep the dirt out of your eye. [1] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School’s Educational Site for the Public Go to source
Wash your hands with antibacterial soap and warm water. Dry them on a clean towel. [3] X Research source
Allow your eyes to water and the tears to wash them clean. Remember, do not rub your eyes. Use the tissue to gently blot up the overflow as it washes out of your eye. [4] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
If you want to examine underneath your eyelid, place a cotton swab right above the upper eyelid and flip the lid over with the cotton swab. [5] X Research source This will allow you look for any dirt lodged in the eyelid itself. [6] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source If you are having a hard time finding the dirt, have a friend or family member do the inspection for you.
Do not jab your eye with the swab or swipe the swab too harshly against the dirt. This could embed the dirt in your eyelid. If the dirt doesn’t come off when you dab it, try another method.
If you have an object in your eye, try removing it with artificial tears, if you have any on hand. Tap water could contain organisms that could contaminate your eye if the foreign object caused a scratch. [8] X Expert Source Kerry Assil, MDBoard Certified Ophthalmologist Expert Interview. 4 September 2020. If all you have available is tap water, however, it’s okay to use that. You can also apply gentle pressure with a stream of water from the faucet to wash debris from your eye, using your fingers to hold your lids open. [9] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Look for eyewash that has neutral pH of 7. 0. Keep the water between 60°F (15. 6°C) and 100°F (37. 8°C) to keep your eye comfortable. If you have an eye bath, which is available at most pharmacies, use this to rinse your eyes.
You cannot remove the dirt from your eye The dirt is embedded inside your eye You experience blurred or otherwise abnormal vision Pain, redness, or discomfort continues after the dirt has been removed from the eye Blood in the eye, lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, or headache
Protecting eyes from ultraviolet light or bright light by wearing sunglasses Avoiding the use of prescription contact lenses until your eye care professional has given the OK Avoiding hand contact with the eye area and washing your hands before touching the eye area Alerting and informing your eye care professional if new symptom arise or if pain becomes unbearable If you continue to feel scratchiness or discomfort in your eye for more than a day after removing the dirt, consult a physician
Blurred or double vision Continual or increased pain Blood covering part of the iris Sensitivity to light Signs of infection[13] X Research source Nausea or vomiting Headaches or lightheadedness Dizziness or loss of consciousness[14] X Trustworthy Source University of Rochester Medical Center Leading academic medical center in the U. S. focused on clinical care and research Go to source
Removing any piece of metal, large or small, that has lodged itself in the eye Putting any pressure on the eye itself in an effort to dislodge the dirt Using tweezers, toothpicks, or other hard object to get the dirt out
