Need help right now?
If someone needs immediate help with object in eye, use emergency mode.
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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Dust, metal flake, insect, or debris is in the eye causing pain, watering, and blinking.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Flush with clean water 15 min. No rubbing. Call 112 if metal, chemical, or still blurred.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Red watering eye, feeling of sand, cannot open eye fully.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Visible speck on white of eye or under lid.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Foreign bodies scratch the cornea — pain persists after object removed.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Metal from grinding may rust and need specialist removal.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stop rubbing. Tilt head toward affected side over basin.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Begin steady stream of clean water inner corner outward.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Flush 15 minutes for suspected chemical; 5–10 for dust.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — If contact lens present — remove after flush if easy.
When and how to get professional help.
Metal grinding injury, penetrating object, or pain after flushing needs same-day eye care.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Irrigate and shield. Do not attempt to remove embedded objects.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 if welding flash, battery acid, or sharp object stuck in eye.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Urgent eye clinic if flushing fails to relieve pain.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT use tweezers on central coloured part of eye.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT patch eye tightly before professional exam if penetrating injury possible.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Blowing into the eye removes dust safely
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Breath introduces bacteria. Sterile saline or clean water flush is safer.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Corneal infection from non-sterile blowing.
Other scenarios in the same family.
Object in eye
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A sharp or embedded object — metal, glass, wood, or tool fragment — is in or penetrating the eye.
Chemical in eye
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A chemical, cleaning product, or irritant has entered a person's eye and they are in pain.
Facial injury
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — The face has significant cuts, swelling, deformity, or pain after a fall, assault, or accident.
Eye hit
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — The eye was struck by a ball, fist, object, or fall. Pain, swelling, or vision changes may follow.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Slit-lamp exam removes hidden particles under lid.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Antibiotic drops prescribed when cornea scratched.