Stop Rubbing Your Eye When Something's In It

Something flies into your eye. Your immediate instinct is to rub it. Don't. You're making it worse.

Dr. Shihij Takoo, an optometrist at University of Maryland Eye Associates, says rubbing can embed the object deeper or scratch your cornea. Yet everyone does it anyway because it feels like it should help.

Here's what actually works and when you need to stop trying to be your own eye doctor.

Will It Come Out On Its Own?

Sometimes yes. Eyelashes and sand often flush out through tears and blinking, according to Mount Sinai. Your eye's pretty good at self-cleaning for small stuff.

But "anything that seems embedded in the eye, regardless of material, is risky to remove by yourself," Takoo warns. If it's not coming out with normal blinking and tearing, you've got a problem.

The Right Way to Get It Out

First, wash your hands. People skip this step and introduce bacteria into an already irritated eye.

Flush with sterile saline solution if you have it. Get under the eyelids. But here's what Takoo emphasizes: never use tap water directly in your eyes. It can cause infection. Tap water isn't sterile and your eye is vulnerable when something's already in there.

If you wear contacts and one's stuck, relax. Takoo says it can't actually get lost behind your eye - there's tissue blocking it. But if you can't find it after reasonable searching, see a doctor.

When to Stop Trying

Metal, wood, or any organic material in your eye? Stop. Go to a doctor. These materials can cause serious complications or infections.

Other signs you need professional help:

• Continued irritation after attempting removal

• Eye pain (not just discomfort)

• Mucus discharge

• Light sensitivity

• Reduced vision

• Any flaking, discharge, or sores

Takoo says if you're feeling uncertain, just go get checked. Your vision isn't worth the risk.

The Prevention Lecture You Don't Want

The best way to get something out of your eye is to never let it in. Takoo recommends approved safety glasses for grinding metal, woodworking, or yard work. These are "higher-risk materials that can cause complications with your eye health."

So what if you think safety glasses look dorky. So does an eye patch after you've scratched your cornea with a wood chip.

What People Do Wrong

Besides rubbing, people make these mistakes:

Using tweezers or other objects to dig things out. You're not a surgeon. You'll probably scratch your cornea.

Ignoring it and hoping it'll resolve. Some particles can rust (metal) or cause infection (organic matter) if left in too long.

Using dirty water or saliva to flush the eye. Your mouth is full of bacteria. Don't make it worse.

Waiting too long to seek help because they think it's minor. By the time it really hurts, damage might be done.

The Contact Lens Problem

Lost contacts create panic. People dig around desperately, convinced it's migrated to their brain or something. It hasn't. It's probably folded up under your eyelid.

If you can't find it after a reasonable search with clean hands, stop. Either it already fell out or it needs professional removal. Continuous searching just irritates your eye more.

The Bottom Line

Small stuff like dust or eyelashes? Try gentle flushing with saline and blinking. Give it a few minutes.

Anything else? Anything that won't come out easily? Anything that hurts beyond minor irritation? Get professional help.

Your eye is one of the most sensitive and important parts of your body. It's not worth risking your vision to avoid a doctor's visit. The ER or urgent care can handle this if you can't get to an eye doctor.

And seriously, stop rubbing it. You're not helping.