Take prompt action and follow the steps below if you or someone else has an eye-related injury.

FOREIGN OBJECT ON THE EYE OR EYELID

The eye will often clear itself of tiny objects, like eyelashes and sand, through blinking and tearing. If not, take the following steps:

1. Tell the person not to rub the eye. Wash your hands before examining it.
2. Examine the eye in a well-lighted area. To find the object, have the person look up and down, then from side to side.
3. If you cannot find the object, grasp the lower eyelid and gently pull down on it to look under the lower eyelid. To look under the upper lid, you can place a clean cotton-tipped swab on the outside of the upper lid and gently flip the lid over the cotton swab.
4. If the object is on an eyelid, try to gently flush it out with clean water. If that does not work, try touching a second cotton-tipped swab to the object to remove it.
5. If the object is on the eye, try gently rinsing the eye with clean water. If available, use an eye dropper positioned above the outer corner of the eye. Do not touch the eye itself with the cotton swab.

A scratchy feeling or other minor discomfort may continue after removing eyelashes and other tiny objects. This will go away within a day or two. If the person continues to have discomfort or blurred vision, get medical help.

FOREIGN OBJECT IN EYE

1. Leave the object in place. Do not try to remove the object. Do not touch it or apply any pressure to it.
2. Calm and reassure the person.
3. Wash your hands.
4. Bandage both eyes. If the object is large, place a paper cup or cone over the injured eye and tape it in place. Cover the uninjured eye with gauze or a clean cloth. If the object is small, cover both eyes with a clean cloth or sterile dressing. Even if only one eye is affected, covering both eyes will help prevent eye movement.
5. Get medical help right away. Do not delay.

CHEMICALS IN THE EYE

1. Flush with cool tap water right away. Turn the person’s head so the injured eye is down and to the side. Holding the eyelid open, allow running water from the faucet to flush the eye for 15 minutes.
2. If both eyes are affected, or if the chemicals are also on other parts of the body, have the person take a shower.
3. If the person is wearing contact lenses and the lenses did not flush out from the running water, have the person try to remove the contacts after the flushing procedure.
4. Continue to flush the eye with clean water or saline while seeking urgent medical attention.
5. Seek medical help right away. Do not delay.

CUTS, SCRATCHES, OR BLOWS

1. Gently apply cold compresses to reduce swelling and help stop bleeding. Do not apply pressure to control bleeding.
2. If blood is pooling in the eye, cover both eyes with a clean cloth or sterile dressing.
3. Seek medical help right away. Do not delay.

CUT EYELID

1. Carefully wash the eye. Place a patch over the eye. If the cut is bleeding, apply gentle pressure with a clean, dry cloth until the bleeding stops.
2. Rinse with water, cover with a clean dressing, and place a cold compress on the dressing to reduce pain and swelling.
3. Seek medical help right away. Do not delay.

• Do not press or rub an injured eye.
• Do not remove contact lenses unless rapid swelling is occurring, there is a chemical injury and the contacts did not come out with the water flush, or you cannot get prompt medical help.
• Do not attempt to remove a foreign body or any object that appears to be embedded in any part of the eye. Get medical help promptly.
• Do not use cotton swabs, tweezers, or anything else on the eye itself. Cotton swabs should only be used on the eyelid.

We also offer a free certificate of completion. To receive the certificate you must pass a 50-question test with a score of 70 or higher. Check our Basic First Aid Certificate of Completion page for more information.