If you get something stuck in an eye, make sure that your hands are clean before you attempt to touch it. Either inspect the eye in a mirror, or have somebody else have a close look. Go to the accident and emergency department of the nearest hospital under the following circumstances:
- It is too painful to open the eye.
- Anything appears to be embedded in the eyeball.
- There are shards of metal or glass in the eye.
If the objects appear to be floating on the surface of the eyeball, try to flush the eye clear with either tap water or eye wash. Whilst washing, try to keep the eyelids open so that the objects can be washed away. If there is anything still lodged in the eye, consult a medical professional.
For chemical splashes, the eye should be rinsed for 5-10 minutes. If the chemical concerned is caustic, such as an acid, then the damage needs to be inspected by a doctor.
