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Eye, Foreign Body in

Treatment for Numerous Particles (such as dirt or sand):
- Clean around the eye with a wet washcloth first.
- Try to open and close the eye repeatedly while submerging that side of the face in a pan of water.
Treatment for a Particle in a Corner of the Eye:
- Try to get it out with a moistened cotton swab or the corner of a moistened cloth.
Treatment for a Particle Under the Lower Lid:
- Pull the lower lid out by depressing the skin above the cheekbone.
- Touch the particle with a moistened cotton swab.
- If that doesn't work, try pouring water on the speck while pulling the lower lid out.
Treatment for a Particle Under the Upper Lid:
- If particle can't be seen, it's probably under the upper lid, the most common hiding place.
- Try to open and close the eye several times while it is submerged in a pan or bowl of water.
- If this fails, pull the upper lid out and draw it over the lower lid. This maneuver, and tears, will sometimes dislodge the particle.
Expected Course: The discomfort, redness and excessive tearing usually pass 1 to 2 hours after the FB is removed.
Contacts: Patients with contact lenses need to switch to glasses temporarily. Reason: to prevent damage to the cornea.
IF your symptoms become worse: Review Should I Call? recommendations.