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What To Do When You Have An Eye Emergency

When You Have An Eye Infection, Something Stuck In Your Eye, A Stye, Or A Small Cut In Your Eye

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What to do when you have an eye infection

Bacteria, fungi, or viruses can affect any part of the eyeball or surrounding regions causing eye infections. The cornea and the conjunctiva are mostly affected in case of eye infections.

Symptoms of eye infections may include redness, pain, discharge from the eye, watery eyes, dry eyes, increased light sensitivity, swelling in and around the eyes, itching, and blurred vision.

If you suspect an eye infection, let it be diagnosed by an eye doctor, so that you receive the necessary treatment for your condition. Self-diagnosis may delay treatment and eventually lead to more harm.

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What to do when you have a stye in your eye

A stye is a small red bump formed at the edge of an eyelid, caused by bacteria. Most styes heal on their own in a week.

Styes are usually not associated with changes in vision. For relief from the symptoms and to encourage faster healing, apply a warm compress for around 15 minutes, thrice a day. Do not pop the stye and let it heal on its own. You can have over the counter painkillers to ease discomfort.

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What to do when something is stuck in your eye


If the object is small and not very dangerous like an eyelash or a speck of dust, take the following steps to try and remove it

  • Wash your hands with warm soapy water.
  • Go to a well-illuminated area and try locating the object. Open your eyes wide open and look in the direction opposite to where you can feel it. Gently pull down the lower eyelid and look behind it. Gently fold the upper eyelid with a sterile cotton swab and look under it.
  • If the object is on the eyelids, remove it with a sterile cotton swab taking care not to touch the inside of the eye.
  • Blink and let the natural lubrication of the eye remove it.
  • Flush your eyes for 10 minutes with clean water.

If the stuck object is embedded in any part of the eye, do not attempt to remove it. Cover your eye with a bandage to restrict movement and prevent you touching or applying pressure to it. Call your doctor for an emergency eye exam.

If the stuck object is dangerous like a piece of glass or wood splinters, do not attempt to remove it. Bandage your eye and if the object is large, place a clean paper cup over the eye and tape it. Go for an emergency appointment to have it removed by your eye doctor.

If after trying, you are unable to remove it, seek medical help. Also, it is common for a little discomfort after the object is removed. If discomfort persists, talk to your eye doctor.

Scratched Eyes – Corneal Abrasion


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What to do when you have a small cut in your eye

If you have a small cut due to injury by objects like tree branches, remember not to rub your eyes as it can make matters worse. Rinse your eyes with a sterile saline solution. If symptoms like redness, foreign body sensation, or irritation persist, call your doctor for an emergency appointment because if cuts or corneal abrasions are not treated, they may cause harm in less than a day. Your doctor will treat the cut with antibiotic ointments, etc. depending on the severity.

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