Routine Irritation

1. Wash your hands thoroughly before touching the eyelids to examine or flush the eye.
2. Do not touch, press, or rub the eyeball itself.
3. Do not try to remove any foreign body except by flushing, because of the risk of scratching the surface of the eye.
4. Gently pour a steady stream of room temperature water from a pitcher or tap over the eye.
5. Flush for up to 15 minutes, checking the eye every 5 minutes to see if the foreign body has been flushed out.

For children: Tilt the child’s head over a basin or sink with the affected eye down and gently pull down the lower lid, encouraging the child to open his or her eyes as wide as possible. For an infant or small child, it’s helpful to have a second person hold the child’s eyes open while you flush.

When to see a doctor: Because a particle can scratch the eye and cause an infection, the eye should be examined by a doctor if there continues to be any irritation that lasts longer than 12 hours. If a foreign body is not dislodged by flushing, it will probably be necessary for a trained medical professional to remove it.

Embedded Foreign Body

If an object, such as a piece of glass or metal, is sticking out of the eye, take the following steps:

• Do not attempt to remove the foreign body except by flushing with tap water and do not touch the eyeball itself.
• Cover the affected eye with a small cup taped in place. The point is to keep all pressure off the eye.
• Call for emergency medical help or go to the emergency department.

Chemical Exposure

Many chemicals, even those found around the house, can damage the eyes. If you or your child gets a chemical in the eye the first step is always to flush the eye immediately: 

• Flush the eye (see above) with room temperature water for at least 15 to 30 minutes. If both eyes are affected, flush them in the shower.
• Call for emergency medical help or go to the emergency department.
• If possible, take a photo of the chemical bottle to show it to your doctor.