Foreign Body in the Eye

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Presence of an external object or substance in the eye.

Cause

• Solids: dust, insects, metal or wood particles
• Liquids: Splashes of irritating fluids

Clinical features

• Severe pain, tears, or redness
• Foreign body (FB) may be visible

Differential diagnosis

• Other injury or trauma

ManagementTreatment

• Make a thin ‘finger’ of moistened cotton wool, move eyelid out of the way, and gently remove FB
• If this fails, refer to an Eye Specialist

For irritating fluids in the eye

• Wash the eye with plenty of clean water or normal saline

If the cornea is damaged

• Apply tetracycline eye ointment 1%, cover the eye, and refer to an Eye Specialist