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SALT LAKE CITY — The world of health and medicine can be confusing to many parents. But Nurse Suzy is here to help clarify some of the issues that are important to you and your family.
This week's question:
What is the best way to remove a foreign object from your eye?
Answer:
The medical community considers an eye a limb, and therefore takes injuries to the eye very, very seriously. In most cases where vision is lost, it cannot be restored; so you need to make sure your eyes are taken care of, and prevention is the best policy.
Object in the eye
There's an important rule to remember if you get something in your eye: Despite the pain and irritation the object can cause, do not rub it. Rubbing your eye can scratch your cornea, which will only cause more pain that may require prescription medication to treat.
Instead, flush your eye with warm water or contact solution. Irrigate the eye for several minutes to see if you can flush the object out (It may help to pull your eyelid away from your eye to get the water up underneath the lid).
If you cannot remove the object by flushing the eye, you need to seek help from a doctor. This is especially true if the object in your eye is metal. If you leave the metal in your eye too long, it can rust. A doctor will then have to use more aggressive action to remove it.
Sunburned eyes
Another common eye problem we see is sunburns, and they can be very painful. The best treatment for this type of burn is to close your eyes and rest them. When you're eyes are open, protect them by wearing sunglasses. Do not read, watch TV, or do anything that would require rapid eye movement.
If the pain doesn't go away within 24 hours, seek professional medical attention.
Preventing eye injuries
The best way to prevent eye injuries is to wear safety goggles whenever you're involved in an activity where objects are flying through the air. You should also wear UV-filtering sunglasses when you are out in the sun.
If you wear contacts, take them out before you go to bed. Sleeping in your contacts is very risky because it is often the cause of eye infections. If you do get an infection, it could prevent you from being able wear contacts again. It also can also worsen your vision problems to the point they can no longer be treated.
For an injury to your eye seek medical attention sooner than later.
Suzanne Carlile, "Nurse Suzy," has been a nurse since 1982. Her main focus is critical care and nursing education. She holds a master's degree in nursing, is a Certified Emergency Nurse, and a member of NNSDO Intermountain West Chapter.
