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What is a corneal foreign body?
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Corneal (or other superficial ocular) foreign body is one of the most common ophthalmic injuries. It usually only affects the superficial cornea, but can cause a penetrating injury with scarring and, potentially, visual impairment. Symptoms include irritation, photophobia, lacrimation, blurred vision and red eye.
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Apr 17, 2023 · Corneal foreign bodies account for the second most common form of ocular trauma, with corneal abrasions being number one. In general, major morbidity such as visual acuity loss is not common. Many corneal foreign bodies are superficial, and benign, albeit uncomfortable.
- Anthony J. Camodeca, Eric P. Anderson
- 2023/04/17
- 2019
What is an ocular foreign body? An ocular foreign body is a common condition, in which a small particle (such as a piece of grit or small rust particle) becomes stuck on your eye. If the object becomes stuck on the cornea – the front window of your eye – this is called a corneal foreign body.
- Overview
- Symptoms of a foreign object in the eye
- Causes of a foreign object in the eye
- When to get emergency care
- Home care for a foreign object in the eye
- When to get medical help
- Recovering from a foreign object in the eye
- How to prevent a foreign object in the eye
- Takeaway
There are several ways to remove a foreign object from your eye. It’s important to see a doctor to remove a sharp object, such as a glass or metal fragment.
A foreign object in the eye is something that strikes your eye from outside your body. It can get underneath your eyelid, embed on the ocular surface, or penetrate your eye. It can be anything that does not naturally belong there, from a particle of dust to a metal shard.
When a foreign object strikes your eye, it will most likely affect the cornea or the conjunctiva.
The cornea is a clear dome that covers the front surface of the eye. It serves as a protective covering for the front of the eye. Light enters the eye through the cornea. It also helps focus light on the retina at the back of the eye.
The conjunctiva is the thin mucous membrane that covers the sclera, or the white of the eye. The conjunctiva runs to the edge of the cornea. It also covers the moist area under the eyelids.
A foreign object that lands on the front part of your eye cannot get lost behind your eyeball, but it may cause scratches, or abrasions, on the cornea.
If you have a foreign object in your eye, you probably will have immediate symptoms. You may experience:
•a feeling of pressure or discomfort
•a sensation that something is in your eye
•eye pain
•extreme tearing
•pain when you look at light
Many foreign objects can strike the cornea or conjunctiva of the eye as a result of mishaps that occur during everyday activities. Some of the most common types of these foreign objects are:
•eyelashes
•dried mucus
•dirt
•sand
•sawdust
If you have a foreign object in your eye, prompt diagnosis and treatment will help prevent infection and potential loss of vision. This is especially important in extreme or intraocular cases.
Removing a foreign object yourself could cause serious eye damage. Get immediate emergency treatment if the foreign object:
•has sharp or rough edges
•is large enough to interfere with closing your eye
•contains chemicals
•was propelled into your eye at a high rate of speed
If you suspect you have a foreign object in your eye, it’s important to get treatment promptly to avoid infection and the possibility of damaged vision. Take these precautions:
•Do not rub or put pressure on the eye.
•Do not use any utensils or implements, such as tweezers or cotton swabs, on the surface of the eye.
•Do not remove contact lenses unless there is sudden swelling or you suffered a chemical injury.
Take the following steps before starting any home care:
•Wash your hands.
Contact a doctor if the foreign object in your eye has conditions that warrant emergency treatment or if:
•You did not succeed in removing the foreign object at home.
•Your vision remains blurred or otherwise abnormal after the removal of the foreign object.
•Your initial symptoms of tearing, blinking, or swelling persist and do not improve.
•The condition of your eye worsens despite the removal of the foreign object.
If you get treatment from a doctor, you may undergo an examination that may include the following steps:
If you succeeded in removing a foreign object from your eye, your eye should begin to look and feel better within about 2 hours.
During this time, any significant pain, redness, or tearing should subside. An irritating sensation or minor discomfort may remain for a day or two.
The surface cells of the eye are restored quickly. Corneal abrasions caused by a foreign object usually heal in 2 to 3 days and without infection.
However, infections are more likely if the foreign object was dirt particles, a twig, or any other object containing soil. Call a doctor if your symptoms aren’t improving.
Foreign objects that may land in your eye accidentally during everyday activities can be difficult to anticipate or avoid.
Certain work or leisure activities are more likely to emit airborne objects that could land in your eye.
You can prevent getting a foreign object in your eye by wearing protective eyewear or safety glasses when you’re doing activities that could involve airborne objects.
To prevent getting a foreign object in your eye, always wear protective eyewear when:
•working with saws, hammers, grinders, or power tools
•working with dangerous or toxic chemicals
It’s important to remove a foreign object from your eye as quickly as possible. Once it’s removed, your eye should feel better within a couple of hours. If the object scratched your cornea, it may take 1 or 2 days for your eye to heal.
Don’t hesitate to get medical assistance if the symptoms persist. Let an expert examine and manage your eye injury.
Corneal abrasions are defects in the epithelial surface of the cornea — most heal within 1–2 days. Superficial corneal injuries typically present with sudden onset pain, discomfort or foreign body sensation of the eye and tearing.
Something in the eye (a foreign body) is most often the result of improper or no eye protection while working in an environment that exposes one to small flying debris. What Are the Symptoms of a Foreign Body Injury to the Eye?
A corneal foreign body (FB) is an object that is superficially adherent or embedded in the cornea. The cornea is the most anterior portion of the globe and so is the part of the eye that is most frequently exposed to foreign bodies.
