First aid if a foreign body gets into the eye. Reasons for foreign body entry. What to do if there is a foreign body in the eye

Various small particles often enter the eye, causing inflammation of the eye. A foreign body can be understood as any coming from external environment particles onto the conjunctiva and cornea. When contacting a foreign body, the eye reflexively tries to get rid of it. For this reason, profuse lacrimation, frequent blinking, and squinting of the eyes appear. Not always these reflex actions lead to spontaneous removal of the foreign body. Help yourself if the above natural mechanisms did not help. This article will help you do it correctly and not harm yourself.

Why should a foreign body be removed as soon as possible?

Closing your eyes can be harmful.
If the eye reflexively closes its eyes, this action can lead to deeper penetration of the foreign body into the conjunctiva, the mucous membrane of the eyelid and its fixation.

Formation of rust around a metal foreign body.
Metal foreign bodies under the influence of salty tears quickly oxidize, the resulting rust penetrates into the deep layers of the mucous membrane of the eye, causing inflammation and pain.

So, early removal of a foreign body reduces eye injury. However, removal of a foreign body should also not cause additional injury.

How to remove a chip or eyelash from an eye?

1. Determining the location of the chips. In order to determine where the shavings are located, blink several times - by the sensations you will be able to determine whether it is located under the upper or lower eyelid.
2. Examination of the lower eyelid. If blinking does not allow you to determine where the chips are located, then they must be identified visually. To do this, you need to pull the lower eyelid down in front of the mirror and carefully examine the mucous membrane of the eyelid.
3. Examination of the upper eyelid. If you have not identified a foreign body in the lower eyelid, then it is necessary to turn it out upper eyelid. To do this, the following sequence of actions is required:

1. Help your neighbor. It is better that the eversion of the eyelid and examination of the mucous membrane be carried out by another person - it is difficult to do this yourself without the skill.
2. Foreign body removal. After examining the eyelid and visually identifying the foreign body, you can remove it with a hygienic cotton swab (or a piece of a napkin folded into a triangle).
3. If you can't delete it yourself– in this case, you need to go to the nearest clinic or hospital where there is an ophthalmologist. If eye soreness does not allow you to get to an ophthalmologist on your own, you should call an ambulance.
4. The foreign body has been removed, but the sensation of its presence in the eye remains. Probable cause may be microscratches that appear as a result of friction of a foreign body on the cornea when blinking or when the foreign body is inaccurately removed. Start dripping any antibiotic into your eyes eye drops(tobrex, gentagut, moxicin, etc.) 1 drop 4 times a day for 4-7 days. In this case, it is advisable to seek personal advice from an ophthalmologist.

What to do if scale gets into your eye?

Scale causes a burn at the point of contact with the epithelium of the conjunctiva or cornea - therefore it is well fixed on the surface of the eye and its independent removal is impossible.

If you have removed the scale itself, the remaining burn must be removed. Only an ophthalmologist can remove a burn with minimal trauma, using drops for local “freezing” of the eyes, a sterile syringe needle and a microscope.

– superficially or deeply located foreign objects of various parts of the appendage apparatus of the eye, orbit and eyeball. Foreign bodies of the eye manifest themselves as lacrimation, pain, hyperemia and swelling of the conjunctiva, and blepharospasm. To identify foreign bodies various localizations can be used external inspection eye with eversion of the eyelids, biomicroscopy, ophthalmoscopy, radiography of the orbit, gonioscopy, diaphanoscopy of the eye and its appendages, ultrasound. Help when foreign bodies get into the eye consists of surgical treatment of the wound, copious rinsing of the conjunctival cavity, sending the victim to an ophthalmology hospital to remove the object that has gotten into the eye without surgery or surgically.

General information

Foreign bodies of the eye are a fairly common and serious problem in ophthalmology. Foreign bodies of the eye can cause toxic and mechanical damage to the organ of vision, an inflammatory reaction (blepharitis, conjunctivitis, keratitis, uveitis), hemorrhages (hemophthalmos), secondary complications (glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment, endo- and panophthalmitis).

Depending on the location of the introduction of foreign objects, foreign bodies of the eyelids, conjunctiva, cornea, orbit and eyeball are distinguished. By nature, foreign bodies in the eye are divided into magnetic (iron-containing) and non-magnetic (wood, glass, earth, sand, containing copper, aluminum and other metals, etc.).

Foreign bodies of the conjunctiva

Foreign bodies in the ocular mucosa are most often represented by small objects: grains of sand, particles of earth, metal, coal, stone, hairs, eyelashes, hard fibers of some plants, etc. Depending on the force of penetration, foreign bodies of the eye can remain on the surface of the conjunctiva or penetrate into mucous membrane

When the integrity of the conjunctiva is violated, a foreign body of the eye causes the formation of an infiltrate or granulation of lymphocytes, giant and epithelioid cells, reminiscent of conjunctival tuberculosis. A conjunctival foreign body that is not removed in a timely manner can be encapsulated. Foreign bodies in the ocular mucosa are accompanied by lacrimation, pain, photophobia, discomfort, blepharospasm, and conjunctivitis. The severity of conjunctival injection may vary.

Diagnosis of a foreign body is carried out during a thorough external examination of the eye mucosa with eversion of the eyelids. Reflex blinking movements and increased lacrimation promote the movement of loose foreign bodies of the eyes through the conjunctival cavity; Most often, particles and fragments are retained in the groove located along the edge of the eyelid.

Superficial foreign bodies of the eyes are removed from the conjunctiva with a damp cotton swab soaked in an antiseptic solution, or by jet rinsing the conjunctival cavity. When foreign bodies of the eyes are introduced into the tissue, 0.5% dicaine solution is instilled into the conjunctival cavity, then the foreign object is removed using a needle, tweezers or a grooved chisel. After removing the foreign body from the eye, instillation of the solution and application of sulfacetamide ointment to the eyelids is prescribed for 3-4 days.

After removal of the conjunctival foreign body, the phenomena of eye irritation regress quite quickly; visual function is not affected.

Foreign bodies of the cornea

Foreign bodies entering the eyes can remain on the surface of the cornea or penetrate into it to varying depths. This depends on the structure and size of the particles, whether they have sharp teeth or edges, and the force and speed of contact with the eye. The location of a foreign body can be superficial, middle or deep. Among foreign objects that penetrate deeply into the cornea, metal particles are usually found.

Foreign bodies in the eye often damage the corneal epithelium, facilitating infection and the development of keratitis. Within a few hours, an inflammatory infiltrate forms in the corneal tissue around the foreign body, and pericorneal vascular injection develops. Deeply located foreign tissues of the eye can penetrate one end into the anterior chamber. Unremoved superficial or mid-located foreign bodies of the cornea eventually become encysted or suppurate. Complaints include pain, sensations of a foreign body (“grains of sand”, “specks”) in the eye, lacrimation, photophobia, involuntary closure of the eyelids, and blurred vision.

The nature and depth of foreign bodies in the cornea of ​​the eye are clarified using diaphanoscopy and biomicroscopy. Typically, during an ophthalmological examination, a foreign body in the cornea of ​​the eye is identified as a dark or gray shiny dot surrounded by a thin rim of infiltration. To exclude the possibility of foreign bodies entering the anterior chamber of the eye, gonioscopy is performed.

After removing superficially located foreign bodies of the cornea of ​​the eye, significant consequences, as a rule, does not arise. Deep damage to the cornea of ​​the eye by a foreign body can subsequently lead to the development of irregular astigmatism, opacities of the cornea, and decreased visual acuity.

Foreign bodies of the eye cavity

Foreign bodies of the eye cavity (intraocular foreign bodies) occur in 5-15% of cases of all eye injuries. In this case, a minority of foreign bodies are retained in the anterior part of the eye (anterior and posterior chambers, iris, lens, ciliary body); most of it ends up in posterior section eyes (vitreous body, choroid).

Metal foreign bodies more often penetrate inside the eye (about 85%), and fragments of glass, stone, and wood are less likely to enter. Depending on the size, chemical properties, microbial contamination, localization and time spent in the eye, foreign particles can cause pathological changes: recurrent iridocyclitis, persistent opacities and moorings in the vitreous body, secondary glaucoma, retinal dystrophy and detachment, chalcosis and siderosis of the eye. Inert small particles can be encysted without causing irritation; objects infected with pathogenic flora may be accompanied by purulent endophthalmitis; Injury from large fragments often leads to crushing and death of the eye.

When foreign bodies enter the eye, examination reveals the presence of an entrance hole in the cornea, iris, pupil or sclera - gaping or with closed edges. When a wound gapes, the internal membranes, vitreous body, and lens may fall out through it. Massive hemorrhage in the anterior chamber of the eye is often detected. When a foreign body of the eye penetrates through the pupil, injury to the lens and its clouding (secondary cataract) are often observed.

Diagnosis of foreign bodies in the eye requires a thorough examination with diaphanoscopy, ophthalmoscopy, biomicroscopy, gonioscopy, radiography, ultrasound of the eye, and tomography. To detect metal cleats, electrolocation and magnetic testing are carried out.

Intraocular foreign bodies must be removed surgically. To prevent iridocyclitis, panophthalmitis, endophthalmitis, subconjunctival and intramuscular injections of antibiotics are prescribed.

Most often, foreign bodies in the eye are removed through an incision in the limbus, cornea or sclera (anteriorly) using a special eye magnet, tweezers or spatula. When the object is located in the posterior chamber of the eye, an iridectomy or iridotomy is performed, followed by removal of the fragment. If the lens is swollen, chalcosis or cataracts develop, extracapsular or intracapsular extraction of the lens along with a foreign body is indicated. For hemo- and endophthalmitis, vitrectomy is performed; For extremely severe injuries, enucleation of the eye may be necessary.

After removing non-magnetic or magnetic foreign bodies from the eye, local and systemic treatment. With foreign bodies in the eye cavity, the prognosis for visual function and the safety of the eye itself is always serious.

Foreign bodies of the orbit

The introduction of foreign bodies into the orbit occurs through the eyelids, conjunctiva, and when the eyeball is perforated. Among the objects that fall here there are fragments of metal, glass, stone, wood, which can cause aseptic inflammation or a purulent process in the orbit (phlegmon of the orbit).

The clinical picture is characterized by the presence of an entrance wound, swelling of the eyelids and conjunctiva, exophthalmos, ophthalmoplegia, local loss of skin sensitivity, and impaired sensitivity of the cornea. If the walls of the orbit are damaged, a foreign body of the eye can penetrate into the nasal cavity or paranasal sinus. When the rectus muscle of the eye is damaged by a foreign body, diplopia occurs. In case of injury to the optic nerve, there is a sharp decrease in visual acuity or blindness, frontotomy, sphenoidotomy, ethmoidotomy, maxillary sinusotomy. Massive antibacterial therapy is mandatory.

The prognosis depends on the location, size and nature of the foreign body in the orbit, and the severity of the damage. If there is no damage to the optic nerve, the prognosis for vision preservation is favorable.

Prevention

Most often, foreign bodies get into the eyes when safety precautions are not followed, so the main preventive measures are to use safety glasses during carpentry, plumbing, agricultural and other work. If a foreign body gets into the eye, you should not try to remove it yourself - this can lead to migration of fragments, damage to the deep structures of the eye and serious complications.

Feeling

Symptoms

• Increased tear production;
• Possible deterioration of vision;

First aid

Treatment and removal

11/10/2015 // admin

Patients with scale in the eye constitute the overwhelming category of patients seeking emergency ophthalmological care. It would seem like small iron shavings, but how many problems can it bring to the patient? Usually, scale gets into the eye due to non-compliance with safety precautions - working with a welding machine or grinder without safety glasses. Although many patients complain that they worked with glasses, a foreign body still got into the eye in the gap between the skin and the protective glass.

It is important to understand that any foreign body in the cornea are a sight-threatening condition. If scale is not removed in time, post-traumatic keratitis may develop, including corneal ulcers, perforation and loss of the eye as an organ. Unfortunately, such cases are not uncommon.

Therefore, when hit scale in the eye, shows how to quickly remove it.

You won't be able to remove it yourself because metal shavings sticks to the cornea, and it is almost impossible to remove it without anesthesia, a needle and good magnification. Especially not a professional.

As a rule, in large cities there is an emergency ophthalmological service that operates around the clock. However, this does not mean that you need to go there at any time of the day. Respect the doctor’s work, come for an appointment either in the morning, afternoon or evening. Asking for help at night does not bring benefits to karma))

Descaling

In most clinical residencies and internships, training in surgery in ophthalmology begins with the skill of removing scale and other foreign bodies of the cornea and eyelids.

To pull out scale, carry out local anesthesia affected eye 0.5% solution of Alcaine or other anesthetic, the patient sits down slit lamp. A section of the cornea with a foreign body is removed so that it is clearly visible. There's a little secret here. If you point the microscope slightly out of focus, then during work, when the patient inevitably moves his head away from the device, it will be enough to move the eyepieces a little brow ridges to come into focus again.

The scale itself is removed with an injection needle from a 10.0 syringe.

For beginning ophthalmologists, it is very important to find a hand rest, since in the absence of one, the hand with the needle begins to shake, like a real alcoholic.

After removing scale, it is necessary to instill an antibiotic solution, for example, 0.25% Levomycetin solution.

The scale has been removed, what next?

After removing scale, it is imperative to prescribe anti-inflammatory treatment.

For this, it is enough to prescribe an antibiotic (Sigicef, Tsipromed, Tobrex) and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (Diclof, Nevanac, Broxinac) for five days.

You can also use ointment forms of antibiotics, for example, Floxal ointment.

For deep scaling, NSAIDs can also be prescribed orally (Nise).

The cornea heals after removing scale within one to two weeks. Superficial epithelial translucent opacities often form. If the foreign body is localized in the central parts of the cornea, vision may be reduced.

By nature, our eyes are protected by eyelashes, but sometimes this protection is not enough. And various small particles get into your eyes. In many cases, it is almost impossible to protect yourself from this.

People often suffer and find themselves in such situations because of the specifics of their profession. When working with an angle grinder, almost everyone has encountered this problem.

And the eyes are an organ that needs to be protected. Any foreign substance should be removed from the eye as quickly as possible. In order for toxic oxidation products of non-ferrous metals to enter chemical reaction With living tissue and fluids of the eye, one day is enough.

This should not be allowed, as the complications are very serious. You could go blind or lose an eye forever. Therefore, in a situation where shavings from an angle grinder have fallen into a hole, it is very important to know what should be done at home.

Sometimes the victim manages to independently remove the foreign body from the eye. But often the problem arises during the work process. And when dust and shavings fly in different directions, it is better to ask for outside help.

In any case, this situation requires the right actions. This will make it possible to avoid serious consequences and preserve vision.

Types and symptoms of traumatic eye injury

An unpleasant case where metal shavings get into the eye is considered mechanical damage. Depending on the severity, the following types of eye injuries are distinguished:

Mild degree- does not threaten cosmetic defects or loss of vision. Moderate injury- easy cosmetic defect, vision loss is slight. Severe degree- significant deterioration of vision or its complete loss as a result of defects in the structure of the eye.

Localization traumatic injury could be as follows:

damage to the eyeball; eye sockets; accessory parts of the eye.

Main symptoms of damage:

involuntary closing of the eyelids, it becomes difficult to open them independently; redness of the eye; pain in the eye area; secretion of tears; blurred vision.

These are the main signs of damage, but they do not make it possible to determine with high accuracy how badly the eye is damaged. The extent of damage can only be determined by an ophthalmologist using a microscope.

After removing the shavings from the grinder, the same symptoms may be observed, with the exception of severe lacrimation. Especially if the damage is deeper than upper layer corneal epithelium.

This occurs due to post-traumatic swelling. Therefore, even after correctly provided first aid, it is better to see a doctor.

How to get shavings out of your eye

If it is not possible to quickly get to a medical facility, then you need to know what to do on your own if scale from a grinder gets into your eye. All procedures must be performed with clean hands.

They should first be washed with soap and running water and should not be touched. Then follow these instructions:

Rinse your face thoroughly with with open eyes. Try to determine the location of the foreign body. To do this you should take a mirror and gently pull down the lower eyelid. Sometimes chips end up there. If present, remove it with a clean cotton swab pre-moistened with water. You can also do this with the tip of a scarf. If nothing is found in the lower eyelid, then need to lift the upper eyelid. It is much more difficult to remove the speck from there. Carry out the procedure very carefully. Severe pain is possible. It is necessary to try to make it go down or fall out completely. To do this, take the upper eyelashes and tug them a little. If discomfort continue, it means there is something left under the upper eyelid. You need to try to grab the top edge and turn it out a little. If there are shavings in this place, pull them out using a cotton swab. If the chips are not stuck in the eye, you can take warm boiled water into a small container and immerse your face in it. In this position, try to blink a little. This removes a foreign body if it is on the surface of the eye and is not stuck in it. This happens extremely rarely, because metal shavings almost always stick. An effective way to remove chips from your eye at home is application of magnet. It should be brought as close as possible to the open eye and moved back and forth. If the metal shavings are not visible in the mirror, then there is a chance that they came out but scratched the cornea. Therefore, a person does not leave a feeling of discomfort. Then the affected eye must be instilled with antiseptic eye drops. You can also apply a restorative gel under the lower eyelid. Then close your eye and massage it with light, gentle movements. If your eyes become very rubbed during the extraction process, you can wash them with the remains of strong black tea. It contains tannins which relieve irritation. This procedure is available to everyone, since tea is always available in the house. If the chips are embedded very deeply, it is better not to touch the eyes and seek medical help immediately. If possible, do not blink or touch the injured eye with your hands.

First aid. How to remove a foreign body from the eye

Basic actions if hot scale from an angle grinder gets into your eye

Scale is a spark from a grinder, grinder, welding and other hot metal body.

If a spark from an angle grinder gets into the eye, it will cause a burn at the point of contact with the epithelium of the conjunctiva or cornea. The scale is firmly fixed on the surface of the eye, and the above methods very rarely help to get it out on your own.

If the shavings have been removed, the next step is to treat the burn that they left behind.

To avoid serious complications The burn must be treated by an ophthalmologist. He uses local anesthetic drops, a sterile needle and a microscope.

After the procedure, you should definitely follow all doctor’s prescriptions at home. These are mainly antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. You can use such drugs in the form of ointments. For example, Floxal ointment.

If metal shavings get into the eye, the cornea heals within a week. IN severe cases recovery may take two weeks.

Superficial epithelial translucent opacities often form. If scale gets in and sticks to central departments cornea, vision may be reduced.

Consequences of incorrect first aid for eye injuries

If you provide first aid for eye injuries incorrectly, serious negative consequences can occur:

Cicatricial deformation of the eyelids. Eyelash growth is abnormal. It becomes impossible to fully open the injured eye. The eyelids grow together. Narrowing or obstruction of the tear ducts. Clouding of the cornea, possible partial loss of vision. Dry eye syndrome. Clouding of the lens - cataract. Chronic inflammation ocular structures, leading to gradual loss of vision. Glaucoma - increase intraocular pressure. Loss of an eye. The appearance of rust around metal shavings that have fallen on the eye structures.

Prohibited actions

If there is a foreign body in the eye, you must not:

Rub your eye with your hands or other objects. Blink frequently. Close your eyes. Rinse the affected area with running water. Drip honey, aloe and other similar products into the eye. Remove foreign bodies from the eye with a match or tongue.

To protect yourself from unpleasant problem, which poses a threat to the eyes, it is important to follow safety precautions when performing repair work, especially welding.

Be sure to use a protective helmet and goggles. Working in them is not entirely convenient, but this is the main guarantee of safety.

It is very difficult and almost impossible to remove chips from the eye without going to a medical facility. In most cases, it is firmly fixed on the surface of the eye and cannot be done without the help of an experienced ophthalmologist.

In order not to lose vision, it is very important to apply a number of measures, even if after the incident there is almost nothing to worry about. It is necessary to remove a foreign body after it gets into the eye as quickly as possible.

Physical factors with prolonged exposure or improper first aid can reach the cornea, iris, vitreous body and even the retina. This causes blurred vision.

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Hello,

A small particle got into the cornea of ​​the eye while working with a cutting instrument. The next day, redness of the white of the eye, sensation of particles in the eye, although nothing was found. I saw the eye clearly and sharply as before the injury. The inflammation did not go away and the next day I consulted a doctor. A small particle was found and removed from the cornea. They prescribed Cipropharm 4рх1к and Oftogel 4рх1к. I didn’t find Oftogel in our pharmacy. Only Cipropharm was used. Within a day, the pain in the eye went away, and after another day, the eye’s excessive sensitivity to light began to go away. But the blurred vision in the eye remains. I noticed the blurriness immediately after visiting the doctor, perhaps because a gel-like liquid was dripped in when the particle was removed.

Will clarity of vision be restored in the injured eye? Should I continue to take what was prescribed? Is it important to find Oftogel?

Foreign body of the eye and orbit

FOREIGN BODY OF THE EYE AND ORBITS. Foreign bodies can penetrate into various parts of the appendage apparatus of the eye, eyeball and orbit. Depending on the location of penetration, foreign bodies of the eyelids, mucous membrane, cornea, eyeball and orbit are distinguished.

• Foreign body of the eye and orbit
• Eye hurts after foreign body removal
• Feeling
• Symptoms
• First aid
• Treatment and removal
• Magazine headings
• What to do if a speck gets into your eye - first aid for an adult or child
• First aid algorithm for removing specks from the outer part of the eye in an adult:
• If your baby gets sand in his eyes, you need to do the following:
• What not to do if there is a foreign body in the eye - pay attention!
• When it is necessary to remove a foreign body from the outer part of the eye - how is the treatment performed in the clinic?
• If, during the diagnosis, the ophthalmologist finds out that the foreign body is located in the layers of the conjunctiva or cornea, the following manipulations are performed:
• Recommendations for patients after removing a speck from the eye
• Foreign body in the eye
• Symptoms of a foreign body in the eye:
• Causes
• Diagnosis of a foreign body in the eye
• Treatment
• Make an appointment with a doctor:
• Causes
• Symptoms and signs
• Diagnostics
• How to remove speck from your eye
• What not to do
• Treatment
• Prevention

The most common foreign bodies are conjunctival, corneal and intraocular foreign bodies.

Foreign body of the conjunctiva of the eyelids and eyeball. Etiology and pathogenesis. Depending on the force of the flight, foreign bodies that fall on the conjunctiva remain on its surface or are embedded in its tissue. Usually these are small particles of earth, grains of sand, particles of coal, stone, metal, hairs of some caterpillars, hard hairs of cereal plants, burdock, etc. A foreign body violates the integrity of the conjunctival epithelium. When introduced into the conjunctiva, an infiltrate appears around the foreign body. Caterpillar hairs embedded in the conjunctival tissue after a few days cause the development of granulations that resemble tuberculous lesions of the conjunctiva. Granulations consist of lymphocytes, epithelioid and giant cells.

A foreign body of the conjunctiva causes irritation of the eye - photophobia, blepharospasm, pain, foreign body sensation. With focal illumination or biomicroscopy, a foreign body lying on the conjunctiva or embedded in its tissue is determined. Conjunctival injection of the eye is expressed in varying degrees. Thanks to reflex blinking movements and increased tear production, a foreign body can move and most often linger on the inner surface of the eyelid in a groove running along the edge of the eyelid. It is therefore necessary to turn out the upper eyelid and carefully examine its mucous membrane, as well as the transitional fold. When hairs from cereal plants and burdocks penetrate into the conjunctiva, severe irritation of the eye occurs. When the eyelid is everted, a limited inflammatory focus is found on the conjunctiva with the development of papillae, in the center of which there is a hair. Often this hair causes desquamation of the epithelium of the corresponding area of ​​the cornea.

The diagnosis is not difficult and is made on the basis of anamnesis, symptoms of eye irritation and the detection of a foreign body during examination of the conjunctiva.

Ambulance and emergency care. Superficially located foreign bodies are removed with a cotton swab moistened with a disinfectant solution (2% boric acid, ethacridine lactate solution 1:1000, etc.). When a foreign body is introduced into the conjunctival tissue, a 0.5% dicaine solution is injected into the eye and the foreign body is removed with a special needle or a grooved chisel. The plant hair embedded in the conjunctival tissue is removed with tweezers. If this fails, then a section of the conjunctiva is excised along with the embedded hair. Multiple small particles of coal, gunpowder, and grains of sand embedded under the conjunctiva should not be removed unless they cause irritation. Large fragments of stone, coal, glass that cause eye irritation are removed. Fragments of reactive metal (iron, copper, brass, etc.) embedded under the conjunctiva should also be removed, since when they oxidize, they can cause changes in surrounding tissues.

Treatment. After removing the foreign body, a 30% solution of sodium sulfacyl, a 0.25% solution of syntomycin, a solution of furatsilin 1: 5000 is instilled into the conjunctival sac, or 10% sodium sulfacyl ointment is placed behind the eyelids. For 3-4 days, disinfectant drops (0.3% solution of chloramphenicol, 0.5% solution of monomycin) are injected into the conjunctival sac.

The prognosis is favorable. After removal of the foreign body, the phenomena of eye irritation quickly disappear.

Foreign body of the cornea. Etiology and pathogenesis. A foreign body entering the eye, depending on its structure, the presence of sharp edges or teeth, as well as the speed of flight, either remains on the surface of the cornea or is embedded into its tissue to different depths. Metal particles are usually embedded deep into the corneal tissue. Foreign bodies violate the integrity of the epithelium of the cornea, thereby creating conditions for possible development infections (see Keratitis). After several hours of residence in the corneal tissue, a thin rim of infiltration is almost always visible around the foreign body. The vessels of the eye react to the introduction of a foreign body with a pericorneal injection.

Clinical picture. Complaints of photophobia, lacrimation, blepharospasm, pain in the eye, feeling of a “grain of sand in the eye.” Conjunctival or mixed injection of the eye is observed. The cornea contains a foreign body of various sizes and locations. It can be on the surface of the cornea or in its tissue (superficial, middle, deep layers). A foreign body located in the deep layers can penetrate one end into the anterior chamber. Foreign bodies can also be multiple and of varying depth. If a superficial foreign body has not been removed for any reason, it may gradually be rejected by demarcating inflammation. A chemically inactive foreign body located in the middle or deep layers of the cornea can encyst or give rise to purulent keratitis.

The diagnosis is made based on the detection of a foreign body in the cornea, which usually appears as a fine gray, yellowish or dark point. To determine the nature and depth of a foreign body, focal illumination and biomicroscopy are used. If there are many foreign bodies in the cornea located at different depths, it is determined by radiography and gonioscopy whether there are foreign bodies that have penetrated into the anterior chamber.

Ambulance and emergency care. The foreign body is removed after first introducing a 0.5% dicaine solution into the conjunctival sac. A foreign body lying on the surface of the cornea is removed using a cotton swab moistened with a 2% solution boric acid. Foreign bodies embedded in the cornea are removed with a foreign body spear or a grooved chisel. When soft steel particles penetrate the cornea, a rim of rust quickly forms around them. After removing the foreign body, the area must be carefully scraped out. Rough removal a foreign body can lead to the development of opacities and the appearance of irregular astigmatism, which contributes to a decrease in visual acuity, especially if the foreign body is located in the optical zone of the cornea.

The smallest particles of coal, stone, sand, gunpowder, glass can remain in the deep layers of the cornea without a visible reaction and in these cases cannot be removed. Foreign bodies that easily oxidize and cause the formation of infiltrate (iron, steel, copper, brass, lead) should be removed from the deep layers of the cornea. If there are multiple foreign bodies in the cornea located at different depths, it is necessary to clarify whether they penetrate into the anterior chamber.

In case of pronounced purulent infiltration around a foreign body, you should carefully clear the infiltrated area with a spear-shaped needle, remove the splinter and, if possible, bacteriological examination contents of the infiltrate. A foreign body is removed from the deep layers of the cornea with great care because of the danger of perforating the cornea or pushing a fragment into the anterior chamber. A symptom of corneal perforation is partial or complete emptying of the anterior chamber. If the cornea is perforated or a fragment enters the anterior chamber, the patient is sent to the hospital.

After removing the foreign body, disinfectant drops (0.25% solution of syntomycin; 0.5% solution of monomycin, etc.) are injected into the eye and a disinfectant is applied eye ointment: 20% sodium sulfacyl ointment, 1% tetracycline, 1% oxytetracycline, 1% biomycin, etc. Apply a monocular sterile bandage.

Treatment. Over the next 3-5 days, disinfectant drops (0.25% solution of syntomycin, 30% solution of sodium sulfacyl, etc.) are installed into the conjunctival sac 4-5 times a day. After removal of the foreign body in cases of severe purulent infiltration, the defect in the corneal tissue is extinguished once with 1% alcohol solution brilliant green and sprinkled with sodium sulfacyl powder. Benzylpenicillin ED is injected under the conjunctiva. sodium salt or streptomycin sulfate. Apply 20% sodium sulfacyl ointment to the eyelids. Eye patches are not applied.

Subsequently, treatment is carried out as for purulent keratitis (see Keratitis).

Forecast. Superficial foreign bodies of the cornea do not leave marks. After removal of foreign bodies from the deep layers of the cornea, opacities of varying intensity remain in their place, reducing visual acuity to one degree or another.

Foreign body in the eye cavity. Etiology and pathogenesis. Foreign bodies enter the eye when the outer capsule (cornea or sclera) is perforated. These are most often fragments flying off from the workpiece, hammer, chisel, and fragments formed during various kinds explosions Intraocular foreign bodies are most often metal (about 90%), much less common are fragments of stone, glass, wood, etc. The reaction of eye tissue to the presence of a foreign body depends on its size, chemical composition, contamination by microbes, localization, duration of stay in the eye. The immediate result of an eye injury from a large fragment can be crushing and death. When small chemically active fragments of iron, steel, copper and other metals get into the eye, changes in the eye depend mainly on the development of reactive inflammation in the tissues. Long stay Such fragments in the eye lead to recurrent outbreaks of iridocyclitis, the formation of persistent opacities and moorings in the vitreous body, secondary glaucoma, retinal dystrophy and detachment, siderosis and chalcosis of the eye. Small chemically inactive foreign bodies (stone, coal, gunpowder, etc.) become encysted and usually do not cause eye irritation. If an infected foreign body enters the eye cavity, purulent inflammation may occur (see Endophthalmitis, Panophthalmitis). Wood particles, penetrating into the eye cavity, lead to the rapid development of purulent iridocyclitis or endophthalmitis.

Clinical picture. When a foreign body is introduced into the eye cavity, there is always an entrance hole of various sizes in the cornea or sclera. The edges of the wound may be reshaped or it may gape. The gaping of the wound is often accompanied by prolapse of the internal membranes, the vitreous body, as well as massive hemorrhage into the vitreous body (see Hemophthalmos). In some cases, the entrance hole is not detected. This is observed in cases where it is located outside the part of the eye visible during examination. When a fragment passes through the cornea, the anterior chamber often becomes shallow, and sometimes a hyphema appears in it. A hole of various sizes and shapes can be found in the iris. When the wound is centrally located, there is usually no hole in the iris, but there is a violation of the integrity of the lens and its clouding of varying intensity. Often a foreign body can be seen at the bottom of the anterior chamber, in the iris or in the lens. When a fragment penetrates the sclera, the iris and lens are usually not damaged. In such cases, a hemorrhage or an air bubble often appears in the vitreous body, and a fragment is visible during ophthalmoscopy. The majority of foreign bodies (80-85%) are localized in the posterior part of the eye (vitreous body, intraocular membranes). Foreign bodies in the anterior section (anterior chamber, iris, lens, ciliary body) are much less common.

Diagnosis is made based on history, clinical findings and x-ray examination. Studies using focal illumination, transmitted light, ophthalmoscopy and biomicroscopy are required.

Foreign bodies in the corner of the anterior chamber are detected during gonioscopy. Using radiography, the presence of a foreign body in the eye is determined in two projections (anterior and lateral), its size, shape and location are determined. To localize a foreign body, the Komberg-Baltik method is used. A special prosthesis with four lead points is put on the eye, which divide the circumference of the limbus into 4 equal parts. Then, special measuring circuits are applied to the obtained radiographs, which are used to determine the meridian of the fragment, its distance from the plane of the limbus and from the anatomical axis of the eye.

To detect non-metallic foreign bodies and very small (point-like) metallic ones in the anterior part of the eye, the method of non-skeletal radiography is used. At the same time, thanks to the special positioning of the patient’s head, the rays pass through the anterior part of the eye, bypassing bone formations eye sockets. With conventional radiography, faint shadows from these foreign bodies are overlapped by the shadows of the skull bones. To clarify the localization, tomography and stereoradiography are also used. Ultrasound echography allows you to identify and localize particles of stone and glass that do not contrast on radiography.

When the fragment is located near the wall using transscleral and transpupillary transillumination, it is sometimes possible to see its shadow. To diagnose metallic foreign bodies, a metallophone is also used, which changes the sound of the device when the tip approaches a metallic foreign body located in the eye. To identify the magnetic properties of a fragment located in the anterior part of the eye, you can use a permanent magnet (displacement or vibration test). During this test, the body of a permanent magnet is brought to the patient’s temple on the side of the eye being examined and the position of the fragment is observed.

In transparent media and the presence of a metal fragment in the vitreous body or in the fundus, its magnetic properties can be determined by a special test. The patient's head is placed in the solenoid magnet ring, then the current is turned on and, under the control of an ophthalmoscope, the oscillatory movements of the magnetic fragment are monitored (the non-magnetic fragment remains motionless).

Ambulance and emergency care. If the eye is injured, the patient is injected with antitetanus serum (1500 or 3000 IU, depending on the degree of contamination of the wound). Disinfectant drops (0.3% solution of chloramphenicol or synthomycin, 30% solution of sodium sulfacyl, 0.5% solution of monomycin, 20% solution of sodium sulfapyridazine, etc.) are injected into the damaged eye. The wound is powdered with chloramphenicol or sodium sulfacyl powder. An antibiotic is administered intramuscularly (IU of benzylpenicillin sodium salt, IU of streptomycin sulfate, IU of monomycin or another antibiotic).

The administration of benzylpenicillin sodium salt, or monomycin, or streptomycin-calcium chloride complex under the conjunctiva is also indicated. This procedure is performed only by an ophthalmologist. After this, the patient is put on a sterile binocular bandage or urgently transported to an eye hospital in a lying position. The referral must include a note about the administration of antitetanus serum and other medications to the patient.

For prevention, see Trauma to the organ of vision.

Treatment. Foreign bodies that have entered the eye cavity are usually subject to urgent removal. Magnetic foreign bodies from the anterior part of the eye (anterior and posterior chambers, iris and lens) are removed anteriorly, i.e. through a limbal or corneal incision. If the fragment is located in the corner of the anterior chamber, then even before the incision, they try to move it using a magnet to a position more convenient for removal. If unsuccessful, the foreign body is removed through an incision in the sclera, 1.5-2 mm away from the limbus. If the fragment is localized in the posterior chamber, the method of its removal depends on the condition of the lens. If the lens is transparent, an iridotomy (or iridectomy) is performed over the fragment and it is moved using a magnet into the anterior chamber. During this operation, the lens is not damaged. If the lens is cloudy, then the fragment from the posterior chamber is removed into the anterior chamber through the pupil.

In the first days after injury, a foreign body from the transparent lens can be removed using a magnet into the anterior chamber through a wound defect in the lens bag and removed through an incision in the cornea. In more late dates after injury, when a scar has already formed on the anterior lens capsule, the foreign body is removed with a magnet after an incision in the cornea in the limbus and careful opening of the anterior lens capsule. Removal of the fragment from the ciliary body and posterior part of the eye is carried out via the diascleral route, after precise localization of the foreign body and determination of the location of the incision on the sclera closest to its location. If the edges of the wound are poorly adapted or it gapes, then before diascleral removal of the foreign body, the wound is treated with sutures. A splinter can be removed through a wound hole only if the edges of the wound are not stuck together and the splinter is located close to it. Significant technical difficulties arise in removing fragments located far beyond the equator of the eye (20 mm or more from the limbus). It is advisable to first transfer such fragments with a magnet to the anterior part of the vitreous body and, after localization, remove them via the diascleral route. In cases where the fragment cannot be transferred, long intraocular magnet tips are used, which are inserted into the eye through the flat part of the ciliary body until it comes into contact with the fragment.

It is more difficult to remove non-magnetic foreign bodies from the eye. From the anterior part of the eye, fragments are removed anteriorly. For this purpose, iris tweezers with transverse cuts on the jaws (without teeth), spoon tweezers, and sometimes a thin cataract spatula are used. The fragment located in the thickness of the iris, after a limbal or corneal incision, is grabbed with tweezers and removed. If this fails, the foreign body is removed along with a piece of the iris. The fragment is removed from the angle of the anterior chamber with tweezers after cutting the sclera at a distance of 1.5-2 mm from the limbus. If a fragment is found in the posterior chamber, an iridectomy is performed in the area of ​​its occurrence and removed with tweezers. Small amagnetic copper-containing fragments can remain in the lens for a long time without causing chalcosis. With the development of cataracts, swelling of the lens or chalcosis of the eye, it is recommended to remove the foreign body along with the lens (in adults - encapsularly, in children - extracapsularly).

Amagnetic fragments are removed from the ciliary and vitreous bodies via the diascleral route. Particular difficulties arise when removing small fragments located in the vitreous body far from the membranes of the eye and from the plane of the limbus. It is easier to remove a large fragment located near the wall and not very far from the limbus. It is recommended to remove copper-containing fragments (brass, copper, bronze) from the vitreous body 2-3 days after injury. During this time, a dense exudate forms around the fragment, which prevents its movement and serves as a guide for finding the fragment. Medium and large copper-containing fragments (2.5-5 mm or more), not promptly removed from the eye cavity, lead to the development of endophthalmitis (see).

Removing a non-magnetic fragment from the vitreous body has its own characteristics, the implementation of which determines the success of the operation. After anesthesia and immobilization of the eyeball, preventive diathermocoagulation, the application of provisional scleral sutures and a sufficient U- or L-shaped incision of the sclera, the choroid and retina are carefully separated with a thin spatula and a grayish-yellow exudate is looked for. Then the exudate is separated with a thin spatula, the fragment is released, grabbed with tweezers and removed. After this, provisional scleral sutures are tied. Removal of non-magnetic fragments from the vitreous is facilitated by special instruments (endoscopes, signal tweezers, collet tweezers, etc.). After removing a fragment from the eye (magnetic or non-magnetic), local and general treatment(see Injury to the organ of vision, treatment).

The prognosis for the preservation of vision and the eye itself is always serious and depends mainly on the severity of the damage, complications that arise, as well as timely and correct treatment.

Foreign bodies of the orbit. Etiology and pathogenesis. Foreign bodies enter the orbit, as a rule, through the eyelids and conjunctiva. They can be magnetic and non-magnetic, have different shapes, sizes and be embedded in different departments eye sockets. Sometimes a piece of metal gets into the eye socket after a double perforation of the eyeball. Foreign bodies made of iron, steel, cast iron, lead, aluminum and other metals, as well as glass and stone fragments are well tolerated by the tissues of the orbit. Large fragments of copper, penetrating into the orbit, can lead to an aseptic purulent process. Pieces of wood usually lead to the development of a septic purulent process in the orbit.

Clinical picture. There is an entrance wound opening on the eyelids or conjunctiva. Usually the eyelids and conjunctiva are swollen, there is exophthalmos of varying degrees, and possible superior orbital fissure syndrome (complete ophthalmoplegia, loss of skin sensitivity in the area of ​​innervation of the first branch trigeminal nerve and impaired sensitivity of the cornea). In some cases, a foreign body penetrates the eye socket with such force that it causes damage to its walls. The large wing is most often damaged sphenoid bone. Having pierced the wall of the orbit, a foreign body can enter the nasal cavity or one of the accessory cavities.

The fragment can damage one of the rectus muscles of the eye, then double vision (diplopia) occurs. When a foreign body is introduced into the posterior part of the orbit, damage to the optic nerve can occur. In this case, a sharp decrease in visual acuity occurs, leading to blindness. A foreign body located at the superior orbital fissure can cause damage to the first branch of the trigeminal nerve. As a result, decreased sensitivity of the upper eyelid and neuroparalytic keratitis often occur. This may be accompanied by spastic inversion of the lower eyelid.

The diagnosis is made on the basis of anamnesis, careful clinical examination and orbital radiography.

Urgent and emergency assistance. If the orbit is injured, the patient is injected with antitetanus serum (1500-3000 IU), a sterile bandage is applied and urgently sent to an eye hospital.

Treatment. The wound is treated surgically. If the foreign body is located close to the surface of the wound, it is removed, especially if it is pieces of wood. The issue of removing other foreign bodies from the orbit is decided by monitoring over time. In the are-active state, the fragment is not removed; massive doses of antibiotics and sulfonamides are prescribed.

The prognosis is determined by the severity and location of the damage, as well as the size and nature of the foreign body. The prognosis for vision preservation is favorable if intact optic nerve.

Source: eye after removal of a foreign body

A foreign body getting into the eye is a fairly common situation. It could be a grain of sand, a speck, an eyelash. For people of certain professions, a foreign body can be metal, plastic or wood shavings, various chemicals, and small insects.

Feeling

As a rule, workers of certain professions (welders, lumberjacks, etc.) are susceptible to foreign bodies getting into the eye. Therefore, for safety, they are recommended to wear safety glasses when working.

Sometimes weather(strong wind, dust storm, etc.) also carry the risk of foreign body damage to the eye. There is no need to expose yourself to the risk of eye damage; it is better to wait out the bad weather at home. If this is not possible for some reason, you should also wear safety glasses.

Very often, the presence of a foreign body in the eye is noted by people wearing contact lenses. This occurs due to non-compliance with the rules of wearing them (carefully removing them, ensuring sterility, etc.), when minor injuries to the surface of the eyeball occur, causing this sensation.

Symptoms

• A burning sensation in the injured eye, soreness and redness;
• Increased tear production;
• Possible deterioration of vision;
• Increased sensitivity to bright light.

Even after removing the foreign body from the eye, the listed symptoms persist for some time - until the irritation caused by it passes.

First aid

What to do if a speck of dust gets into your eye and eye doctor not nearby? Under no circumstances should you rub your eye. Try to carefully remove the speck with the tip of sterile gauze or a clean handkerchief and rinse the eye with plenty of running water, or preferably tea.

After this it is good to drip eye drops: chloramphenicol or albucid: for adults - 30% solution, for children - a solution of lower concentration. Even if the pain gradually disappears after instillation, treatment should not be stopped. It is necessary to continue instillation every 2 - 2.5 hours on the first day and three times a day in subsequent days.

Dexamethasone and Taufon drops will help remove residual redness of the protein. But keep in mind: without consulting a doctor, drops should not be used for more than a few days.

If the scratch from a foreign body is deep enough, then self-medication will not help. Only a specialist after special examination will be able to prescribe the correct comprehensive treatment, including ointments, drops, and eye washes.

Treatment and removal

First of all, you need to take a mirror and carefully examine the eyeball. If you see a speck, take a cotton swab or a clean tissue and carefully remove the foreign object from the eye. You can also rinse your eye clean water room temperature. Keep your eye open and rinse until the pain stops. Sometimes the sensation of a foreign body in the eye persists even after removing the speck, but it is less pronounced.

In some cases it is effective and natural way cleansing - tears. Gently lift the upper eyelid with your fingers and hold it until a tear appears in the eye. Cornea human eye boasts powerful protective reflexes that quickly remove most small surface particles through increased blinking and tear production.

If all else fails and the foreign body sensation in the eye persists, visit an ophthalmologist. Sometimes a foreign body does not end up on the mucous membrane, but in the submucosal layer of the eye, and it is prohibited to remove it from there at home. If a foreign object is located in the cornea, sclera or conjunctiva, it should only be removed by a specialist. Attempting to remove a foreign body from the eye yourself is dangerous and can lead to an intraocular infection or the formation of a rough scar that can negatively affect visual acuity.

Superficial foreign bodies are usually removed from the eye in the doctor's office. First, the specialist instills pain-relieving drops, after which he carefully removes the foreign object using a special microscope - a slit lamp. After this procedure, the patient is prescribed anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drops or ointments to prevent the development of the inflammatory process.

As for intraocular foreign bodies, they are removed in the operating room using a microscope, special equipment and instruments. Such injuries are serious, they threaten not only vision, but also the safety of the eyeball, and therefore must be operated on urgently.

If a foreign body in the eye has caused minor superficial damage to the cornea, antibiotic ointment is recommended to treat such an ailment. For more severe corneal damage, additional treatment is required. The pupil should always be dilated - this effect can be achieved by using special drugs(1% atropine solution). In addition, antibiotic drops are instilled into the damaged eye and a bandage is applied to completely prevent the penetration of light. Fortunately, the epithelium that covers the eyeball recovers very quickly - even serious damage heals under a bandage within 1 to 3 days.

Source: magazine

Algorithm of actions when hit foreign object to the surface of the eye will depend on its nature and the degree of damage to the conjunctiva or cornea. For example, you can remove an eyelash, a small grain of sand, or a small midge yourself. If the case involves shards of wood, metal or glass, the victim must urgently go to the hospital for help. Further tactics Treatment will be determined by an ophthalmologist after carrying out certain diagnostic procedures.

What to do if a speck gets into your eye - first aid for an adult or child

Before starting any therapeutic measures to remove a foreign body at home, you need to assess the nature of its placement.

If the speck is localized on the inside of the upper/lower eyelid, on the surface of the eye, you can try to pull it out yourself.

First aid algorithm for removing specks from the outer part of the eye in an adult:

1. Initially, you should find a well-lit room with a mirror and examine outer part eyes. At this stage, it is important to determine the location of this speck and its nature (sand, eyelash, shavings, etc.).
2. If a superficial examination turns out to be inconclusive, you need to rotate the eyeball or blink, loosely squeezing your eyelids, until tears appear. In some cases, such manipulation helps the speck to come out. You can also run your finger along your closed eyelids in the direction from the temple to the bridge of the nose. Do not rub your eyelids too vigorously: this may cause injury to the eye.
3. If the above procedures are ineffective, you can try taking water into your palms or an iron bowl, lowering your face into it with your eyes open and try blinking. As an alternative, you can use a small syringe or syringe filled with water to gently rinse the eye.
4. If the speck is “hidden” behind the upper eyelid, it should be pulled towards lower eyelid, and the eyes should be lowered down. This may expel the foreign body into the middle of the eye.
5. It is necessary to remove a foreign body from the lower eyelid using a handkerchief folded in a corner, a cotton pad, or a paper napkin. The cotton swab must be moistened before use.
6. After removing the speck, you need to drop antiseptics into the eye: Tsiprolet, Okomestin so that the liquid comes out. If anti-inflammatory eye drops are not available, you can use chilled boiled water.
7. If shavings get into your eyes, you should not close your eyes: the upper and lower eyelids are examined using a cotton swab, which is placed vertically in the middle of the eyelid. With the other hand you need to pull the eyelashes, causing the eyelid to evert out. Next, a syringe with water will be useful: you can use it to wash the shavings. Instilling eye anesthetics into the eyes will help temporarily relieve discomfort. After these activities, you should in any case see an ophthalmologist!
8. Sometimes, after removing a foreign body from the surface of the eye, the victim continues to feel discomfort. A similar phenomenon can occur if a foreign body scratches the mucous membrane of the eye. In such situations, you should also use antiseptic drops.

Removing debris from under the upper eyelid

Removing a foreign body from under the lower eyelid

For young children, the most pressing problem is sand getting into their eyes. Therefore, parents who are going to the playground with their child every time should put alcohol-free wet wipes and a bottle of water in their bag.

If your baby gets sand in his eyes, you need to do the following:

1. Shake the sand off the face and rinse the child's hands with water or wipe them with a damp cloth.
2. When you get home, you should rinse your eyes with water for 15 minutes. If a child cries, do not pay attention to it: tears facilitate the release of sand.
3. At the end of the procedure, antiseptic drops (Vigamox, Okomestin) should be placed in the baby’s eyes.

What not to do if there is a foreign body in the eye - pay attention!

• Strong rubbing of the eye in attempts to remove specks. This procedure can cause harm to the conjunctiva and cornea.
• Removing metal shavings from the surface of the eye using a magnet, tweezers or a cotton pad. In the same case, if the metal was removed by washing with water, the victim should still be examined by an ophthalmologist.
• Instillation of the eyes with honey, aloe juice, or other means recommended by traditional medicine.
• Try to remove a piece of glass or a large grain of sand from the surface of the eye - especially if it is stuck in the iris of the organ of vision. IN similar cases You can’t squint your eyes too much or blink too often. The victim should cover the sore eye sterile wipe and go to the hospital immediately!

When it is necessary to remove a foreign body from the outer part of the eye - how is the treatment performed in the clinic?

If, during the diagnosis, the ophthalmologist finds out that the foreign body is located in the layers of the conjunctiva or cornea, the following manipulations are performed:

1. To carry out the procedure, the patient must take a sitting position. A slit lamp provides good visibility of the surgical site.
2. Pain relief for a sore eye. Often a 5% solution of Novocaine is used, which is dripped 2 times with a break of several minutes. If the foreign body is very small in size, identifying it is very problematic. In these cases, the doctor first instills the eye with drops that contain fluorescein. Thanks to this dye, the surgeon can easily remove the stuck fragment.
3. To remove a foreign body, use a sterile spear or insulin needle. With their participation, with light, sweeping movements, the doctor removes a fragment stuck in the conjunctiva or cornea.
4. Using a so-called sterile bur, the operator cleans out the “rusty ring,” if any. A special magnet is used to remove metal fragments.

After this procedure, the surgical area is washed with antiseptic agents and a course of local antibiotic therapy is prescribed.

The patient is sent home on the same day.

Recommendations for patients after removing a speck from the eye

If you remove the speck yourself, the victim should rinse his eyes with chamomile decoction or weak tea for several days.

To prepare an antiseptic decoction, pour 3 tbsp. chamomile inflorescences with a glass of boiling water and leave for 1-2 hours.

For a similar procedure, you can purchase anti-inflammatory eye drops at the pharmacy.

If there remains severe discomfort after removing the speck yourself, lacrimation, or pain, you should immediately consult an ophthalmologist!

• When removing a foreign body from the surface of the eye on an outpatient basis, upon returning home, the patient must promptly instill drops into the affected eye or place a special ointment behind the eyelid (as prescribed by the doctor).
• When going outside, it is imperative to cover the sore area with a special bandage.
• For the first 5 days after treatment in the clinic, you should refrain from playing sports, visiting swimming pools, and saunas.

Considered pathological condition may develop against the background wrong image life, or be a symptom of a serious pathology. In the first case, the symptoms are minimal or absent altogether, and to normalize intraocular pressure it will be enough to reconsider your lifestyle. If the increase in IOP was ... → →

This pathology is a degenerative eye disease, which is not inflammatory in nature, and often extends to both organs of vision. The main target of the disease is the cornea, which as a result pathological processes becomes thin, takes on a cone shape and changes its optical properties. Keratoconus… → →

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Source: body in the eye

The sensation of a foreign body in the eye is well known to almost every person. It occurs when a small speck gets into the eye, small insect and so on. A foreign body in the eye is one of the main causes of damage to its structures (conjunctiva, sclera, cornea). It can be located superficially or penetrate inside the eyeball. Any injury caused to the eye by a foreign body is potentially dangerous to vision function.

Symptoms of a foreign body in the eye:

• A burning sensation in the injured eye, soreness and redness;
• Increased tear production;
• Possible deterioration of vision;
• Increased sensitivity to bright light.

Even after removing the foreign body from the eye, the listed symptoms persist for some time - until the irritation caused by it passes.

Most often, a foreign body entering the eye is observed in workers of certain professions (stone cutters, lumberjacks, etc.). Therefore, to protect their eyesight, they are recommended to wear safety glasses while working.

During strong winds, dust storms also exist high risk foreign body getting into the eyes. It is best to wait out the bad weather at home. If for some reason this is not possible, then safety glasses should also be used.

Often the sensation of a foreign body in the eye occurs in people who use contact lenses. If the rules for wearing them are not followed (sterility, careful removal, etc.), minor injuries to the superficial structures of the eyeball occur, which are manifested by sensations of a foreign body in the eye.

Diagnosis of a foreign body in the eye

The presence of a foreign body in the eye usually does not cause difficulties in diagnosis. In most cases, the doctor makes a diagnosis based on the patient’s characteristic complaints and ophthalmological examination data. If necessary, the doctor can gently pull down the lower eyelid or turn out the upper eyelid to make sure there are no foreign bodies underneath.

With penetrating wounds of the eyeball, when a foreign body penetrates inside, the examination of patients becomes more complicated and includes:

• Checking visual acuity;
• Examination of the eye using an ophthalmoscope;
• Slit lamp examination;
• X-ray;
• Ultrasound diagnostics.

Treatment of patients begins with removal of the foreign body from the eye. For pain relief, anesthetic drops, for example 0.25% dicaine, are instilled into the affected eye. Then the foreign body is directly removed using a sterile cotton swab, soaked in sterile distilled water. In cases where the foreign body is very small in diameter and cannot be detected during a routine examination, eye drops containing a special dye, fluorescein, are instilled into the damaged eye. Thanks to it, the foreign body becomes noticeable, and the doctor can special labor delete it.

For minor damage to the cornea, after removing the foreign body from the eye, the patient is prescribed eye ointment with antibiotics. It should be applied for 2 – 3 days.

In case of significant damage to the cornea after removal of a foreign body from the eye, the patient is prescribed instillation of drops that dilate the pupil (1% solution of atropine sulfate). In addition, antibiotic eye drops should be instilled several times a day. To protect the injured eye from irritating effect Lights put a bandage on him. Treatment is continued for 3 to 5 days.

If there is a deep foreign body in the eye, the patient may require surgery to remove it.

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:

The information is generalized and is provided for informational purposes. At the first signs of illness, consult a doctor. Self-medication is dangerous to health!

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Source: see a doctor:

A foreign body in the eye is a particle of an object that is carried onto the membrane of the eye with the influx of wind. Also, a foreign body can be brought in through everyday life. Today foreign bodies are the main cause severe injuries eyes and its membranes, since they easily penetrate the eyeball and can cause complications such as blepharitis, keratitis, conjunctivitis, hemophthalmos (hemorrhage), cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment, endophthalmitis, etc. Otherwise, foreign particles can lead to complete loss of vision.

Depending on where the foreign body has entered, lesions of the cornea, conjunctiva, eyelids, orbit and the eyeball itself are distinguished. Another classification of foreign bodies is depending on the magnetic abilities of foreign bodies (magnetic and non-magnetic).

Causes

The reasons for foreign bodies getting into the eye are different, but the following are worth highlighting:

• failure to comply with personal hygiene rules - for this reason, foreign bodies most often end up in the eyes of children who do not wash their hands (for example, in the sandbox) and rub their eyes with them. Most often, grains of sand, tiny debris, and dust appear on the eye;
• industrial injuries - occur if the victim works in a hazardous industry, where there is a need to process wood and metal on a machine. Often tiny particles may take an incorrect trajectory and come into contact with the eye at high speed, penetrate inside and lead to serious injury;
• wind - if a strong wind blows in your face, then it will, without a doubt, raise dust, particles of earth, various kinds of small chips, etc. from the ground;
• contact lenses – if handled correctly, contact lenses do not cause harm to a person, but if you change them with dirty hands, you can get foreign bodies on your fingers;
• wearing woolen clothes - when putting woolen sweaters over your head, the finest fibers can remain on your eyelashes, which then imperceptibly fall from your eyelashes onto your eyes.

Symptoms and signs

The membrane of the eyeball is so delicate that when a foreign body comes into contact with it, it immediately responds in the form of characteristic symptoms. However, the symptoms are not the same in all parts of the eye - there are even cases where the penetration of metal shavings is painless, and sometimes the lint leads to dire consequences. Among them, the classic symptoms of mote are:

• an unpleasant feeling of the presence of a foreign body, a feeling of discomfort;
• pain in the eye;
• lacrimation;
• pain when opening the eyelid;
• bleeding;
• itching, desire to rub the eye;
• forced drooping of the eyelid;
• decreased quality of vision;
• feeling of a veil before the eyes.

Diagnostics

A primary role in the diagnosis of a foreign body is played by anamnesis, during which the patient reports its penetration into the eyeball. This significantly narrows the search for a speck, so the doctor can use only a few diagnostic methods to achieve a result. The main examination is carried out by an ophthalmologist who examines the membrane of the eye, the fundus of the eye, and checks the cavity under the upper and lower eyelids.

In case of penetrating damage to the eye, the examination will be carried out using an ophthalmoscope, and it may be necessary to use ultrasound or x-rays.

If the foreign body is small and cannot be detected as a result of a routine examination, then special drops with dye are instilled into the eyes. Thanks to the developing substance, the doctor is able to see the location of the speck and remove it.

How to remove speck from your eye

Removing debris from the eye largely depends on what exactly got into the eye.

Removing wood chips. The shavings are usually not attached to the mucous membrane of the eyelid, so it is quite easy to remove them, but it can be difficult to find this speck. To begin with, you can blink your eyes to feel the location of the chips. If you cannot feel it after blinking, then you need to examine the eyelids. To begin with, the lower eyelid is turned away in front of the mirror and the mucous membrane is carefully examined. When examining the upper eyelid, it is better to use the help of strangers, if possible. The victim faces the mirror or another person, throws his head back as much as possible, and directs his gaze downward, as if trying to look at his feet. After this, you need to grab the eyelashes and pull the eyelid away from the eye. With your other hand you need to place a hygiene stick on top of the eyelid, parallel to the edge of the eyelid. Next, use a stick to press the eyelid onto the eyeball and try to turn the eyelid onto the stick. After you manage to do this, you can ask someone to examine the mucous membrane or try to do it yourself.

After examining the eyelid, you can try to remove the foreign body with a cotton swab or a piece of soft paper napkin folded into a corner. If the removal of the foreign body does not occur, you must seek qualified medical help. If the foreign body can be removed, the eyes must be dripped with antibacterial eye drops, for example Tobrex, which will help avoid the development of infection. Redness of the eye can be eliminated with the help of drops such as Taufon, Dexamethasone, Albucid. If after self-removal the symptoms of the foreign body do not go away, you should consult a doctor.

Removing metal bodies. They learned to extract metal from the eyes using magnets at the end of the nineteenth century. Since then, this method has taken a strong place in eye surgery. Removal of the metal fragment must be carried out as soon as possible, since when metal is exposed to the liquid environment of the eye, a phenomenon called metallosis occurs. With metallosis in the eye, severe changes in its structural elements develop - the retina, optic nerve, lens. If the metal object is not removed, then within two weeks pathological changes will appear in the structure of the eyeball. Therefore, if the speck is on the surface of the eye and has not penetrated into it, then the victim can independently or with the help of others remove the metal foreign body.

Removal of dust, lint, insects. Most often, small foreign bodies come out on their own along with tears, which wash them to the surface towards the corner of the eye. If this does not happen, then you can try putting your eye in warm boiled water and blinking your eye in the water. In most cases, this method succeeds in washing the smallest foreign bodies from the surface of the eye. During this procedure, it is important to strictly follow all hygiene rules - use only boiled water, clean dishes, wash your hands with soap before removing the speck.

What not to do

If you couldn’t avoid getting a speck of dirt into your eye, then you need to try to help yourself get it out, following strict recommendations:

• never rub your eyes, which can lead to the penetration of the speck even deeper, injury to the membranes of the eye, and the occurrence of corneal edema;
• try not to open the affected eye without reason, which can lead to the displacement of the speck into a hard-to-reach place and irritation of the surface of the eyeball;
• do not close your eyes, as this action can lead to deeper penetration of the speck into the eye;
• do not hesitate if metal shavings get into your eye, because they quickly oxidize under the influence of salty tears, and the resulting rust causes rapid inflammation;
• Do not use eye drops;
• do not rinse your eyes with running water;
• do not put folk remedies in your eyes;
• If there is a suspicion that you won’t be able to remove the speck yourself, then it is better not to try so as not to aggravate the situation.

Treatment

If the foreign body could not be removed independently, or it poses a danger to the victim’s health, then it is necessary to transport the patient as quickly as possible to a medical facility, where he will receive qualified assistance. It must be remembered that in complex cases, medical assistance should only be provided by an ophthalmologist.

If a foreign body is on the surface of the eye, the doctor will be able to remove it using a damp swab soaked in an antiseptic, or by jet rinsing with a special solution.

It is possible to remove a speck that has penetrated into the conjunctival cavity only with the use of an anesthetic solution of dicaine, since the procedure is quite painful. The doctor instills the solution, and after the onset of anesthesia, the foreign body is removed with a needle or tweezers. After the foreign body is removed, the eye is washed and sodium sulfacyl is placed behind the eyelids, which must be used for four days after the intervention. Usually, after the speck is removed, the inflammatory reaction of the eye quickly passes, but in some cases the patient may complain of discomfort and a feeling of incomplete removal of the foreign body. This happens if there are microtraumas on the conjunctiva, which give similar sensations.

Foreign bodies can land not only on the membrane of the eye, but also on the cornea. As a rule, these are specks that have forcefully penetrated into the eye, so they can lie quite deep. Among them there are wooden fragments, metal shavings, and glass. Within a few hours after the entry of the speck, an infiltrate appears around it. If the foreign body is not removed, a bag and suppuration will form around it. To confirm the diagnosis, diaphanoscopy and biomicroscopy are additionally performed. To remove a foreign body, an anesthetic is instilled into the eye, and the foreign body is removed with special instruments. A bandage is applied to the eye and a course of antibiotic therapy is prescribed.

Foreign bodies in the cavity of the eye itself are rare - only about ten percent of cases occur as a result of deep injuries, while most foreign bodies fall on the vitreous body, the choroid. The entry of foreign bodies into the eye can lead to opacification of the vitreous body, iridocyclitis, dystrophy and retinal detachment. If a foreign body big size and hits the eye with force, this can lead to crushing of the eye and its death. If a large fragment hits, you can clearly see the entrance hole, through which the inner membranes of the eye, lens, and vitreous body sometimes fall out. Foreign bodies inside the eye are removed surgically, followed by antibiotic therapy. The fragment is removed through an incision in the cornea or sclera using an eye magnet or tweezers.

Orbital foreign bodies pass through the eyelids, conjunctiva and eyeball, embedding directly into the orbit. With this injury, not only the eye socket can be damaged, but also the nasal cavity. If the nerve is affected, patients note a sharp decrease in the sensitivity of the upper eyelid and visual acuity. In this case, foreign bodies are removed surgically; if necessary, consultation with an otolaryngologist and neurologist is carried out.

Prevention

Prevention similar situations consists of observing the rules of personal hygiene and safety rules at work. In order to protect your eyes from foreign bodies, you can wear special glasses that are worn while working on the machine. The enterprise must provide all means of protecting the worker, but if for some reason this is not the case, then the employee must worry about his own health.

Prevention among young children consists of constant supervision of them, and among older children - in holding conversations about the rules of personal hygiene.

A single center for making appointments with a doctor by phone.

X-ray of the orbit, diaphanoscopy of the eyes and adnexa, ultrasound examination. Treatment consists of copious rinsing of the conjunctival cavity, surgical treatment wounds, then hospitalization of the patient in an ophthalmological hospital is required for conservative or surgical treatment.

Foreign bodies of the eye are a fairly common and serious pathology in ophthalmology, which can result in mechanical or toxic damage to the eyes, inflammatory process(,), (hemorrhage into the eye cavity), as well as secondary complications in the form of endophthalmitis and panophthalmitis.

Depending on the location, foreign bodies are distinguished: conjunctiva, eyelids, eyeball, orbit. Depending on the nature of the object, foreign bodies are classified into magnetic (containing iron) and non-magnetic (glass, wood, earth, objects containing aluminum, copper and other metals).

Foreign bodies of the conjunctiva

Most often, foreign bodies in the conjunctiva of the eye are represented by small objects: particles of earth, coal, metal, hairs, and hard plant fibers. Such objects can remain on the surface of the mucous membrane or be embedded in it. In case of violation of the integrity of the conjunctiva, an infiltrate of lymphocytes, epithelioid and giant cells is formed. This infiltrate resembles conjunctival tuberculosis. If such a foreign body is not removed in a timely manner, it may become encapsulated.

A foreign body in the conjunctiva of the eye is manifested by pain, blepharospasm, discomfort, inflammatory reaction, conjunctival injection, the degree of which may vary.

Diagnosis of a conjunctival foreign body includes a thorough external examination of the conjunctiva with eversion of the eyelid. Increased tear production and blinking movements contribute to the movement of a loose foreign body in the conjunctival cavity. Most often, the object is retained in the groove, which is located along the edge of the eyelids.

Removal of a superficially located foreign body of the conjunctiva is carried out with a damp cotton swab, which should be moistened in an antiseptic solution. Jet rinsing of the conjunctival cavity is also effective. If a foreign body has penetrated the conjunctiva, a 0.5% dicaine solution is instilled, and then the foreign body is removed using tweezers, a needle or a grooved chisel. After removing the conjunctival foreign body, instillation of sodium sulfacyl or antibacterial ointment is prescribed. After removal of the object, the symptoms of a conjunctival foreign body quickly regress, and vision is not impaired.

Foreign bodies of the cornea

A foreign object that gets into the eye can remain on the surface of the cornea or penetrate to varying depths into its thickness. The depth of penetration is determined by the structure and size of the foreign body, the presence of edges and teeth, the speed and force of impact. The foreign body can lie superficial, mid- or deep. Metal particles most often get into the deep layers of the cornea.

A foreign body in the cornea of ​​the eye damages its epithelial layer, which facilitates the penetration of microorganisms and the development of keratitis. A few hours after an object enters an inflammatory infiltrate, a pericorneal vascular injection, forms around it in the tissues of the cornea. If the foreign body is located deeply, it can penetrate one end into the anterior cavity. Mid-located foreign bodies or those not removed in a timely manner become encysted after some time and then suppurate. Patients complain of severe pain, lacrimation, foreign body sensation, involuntary closure of the eyelids, and decreased vision.

To determine the depth and nature of the foreign body, biomicroscopy and diaphanoscopy are performed. During an ophthalmological examination, a foreign object in the cornea is visualized as a dark shiny dot, which is surrounded by a rim of infiltration. In order to exclude the entry of a foreign body into the anterior chamber, gonioscopy is performed.

Before removing a foreign body from the cornea of ​​the eye, anesthesia is performed: eye drops with anesthetics are instilled. Then the superficially located particle is removed with a damp cotton swab. If the foreign body has penetrated deeply, a grooved chisel or spear is used to remove it. After removing the foreign body, a protective sterile bandage is applied to the eye, and antimicrobial eye drops are instilled into the conjunctival sac. In some cases, subconjunctival injections of antibiotics are performed.

In the process of removing a foreign body of the cornea, there is a risk of perforation of the cornea, pushing the object deeper into the anterior chamber, which is why all manipulations are carried out exclusively by an ophthalmic surgeon in a medical institution.

Usually, after removal of superficially located foreign bodies of the cornea, there are no significant consequences. If the cornea is deeply damaged by a foreign body, abnormal vision may develop, decreased visual acuity, etc.

Foreign bodies of the eye cavity

In 5-15% of all damage cases visual analyzer foreign bodies penetrate inside the eye, into its cavity. Sometimes a foreign body lingers in the anterior or posterior chambers of the eye, but more often the object penetrates into the posterior part -,.

Usually small metal foreign bodies penetrate into the eye (this happens in 85% of cases), much less often - fragments of stone, glass, or wood chips. Foreign bodies in the eye cavity, depending on microbial contamination, chemical properties, size, location, and residence time, can provoke various complications:

• persistent clouding and formation of moorings in the vitreous;
• recurrent;
• dystrophy, retinal detachment;
• secondary glaucoma;
• siderosis and chalcosis of the eye.

If the foreign particle is inert, it can become encysted without developing irritation of the eye tissue. Foreign bodies infected with microbial flora can cause purulent endophthalmitis. If injured by a large fragment, the eye may be crushed and killed.

When foreign bodies penetrate into the eye cavity in the cornea, an entrance hole can be determined, with closed edges or gaping. If the entrance wound is gaping, the inner membranes of the eye, lens, and vitreous may fall out of it. Massive bleeding into the anterior chamber often develops. If a foreign body penetrates through, the lens is injured, and secondary cataracts subsequently develop.

To diagnose a foreign body in the eye cavity, a thorough examination is carried out using ophthalmoscopy, diaphanoscopy, gonioscopy, biomicroscopy, ultrasound, radiography, and tomography. If metal fragments are present, a magnetic test and echolocation are performed.

Removal of a foreign body from the eye cavity

Surgery is necessary to remove objects from the eye cavity. In order to prevent the development of iridocyclitis, endophthalmitis, panophthalmitis, subconjunctival and systemic injections of antibiotics are performed.

A foreign body from the eye cavity is most often removed through the area of ​​the limbus, sclera, cornea using a special magnet, spatula or tweezers. If the object is in the posterior chamber of the eye, an iridotomy or is performed, and then the fragment is removed. In case of swelling of the lens, development of cataracts, or chalcosis, intracapsular or extracapsular extraction of the lens with a foreign body is performed. With the development of endophthalmitis and hemophthalmos, it is performed. In severe cases, it may be necessary to enucleate the eye.

After removal of the foreign body from the eye cavity, subsequent local and systemic therapy is performed. The prognosis for maintaining visual function and the eye itself is determined by the degree of damage, often unfavorable.

Foreign bodies of the orbit

Penetration of a foreign body into the orbit can occur through the conjunctiva, eyelids, and also when the eyeball is perforated. Fragments of glass, metal, wood, stone can act as foreign bodies in the orbit, which provoke aseptic inflammation or a purulent inflammatory process (orbital phlegmon develops).

Symptoms in the presence of a foreign body in the orbit are characterized by: pronounced edema conjunctiva and eyelids, the presence of an entrance hole, ophthalmoplegia, impaired sensitivity of the cornea, local loss of skin sensitivity. If the wall of the orbit is damaged, a foreign body can penetrate into the paranasal sinus or nasal cavity. If the rectus eye muscle is damaged, diplopia develops. If the optic nerve is injured, visual acuity drops sharply down to complete blindness. In case of damage to the branches of the trigeminal nerve, the sensitivity of the upper eyelid decreases, neuroparalytic keratitis and spastic upper eyelid develop.

In the diagnosis of foreign bodies of the orbit, radiography of the orbit is used, paranasal sinuses noma, skull bones.

If the foreign body of the orbit is located close to the entrance hole, it is removed after primary surgical treatment of the wound. Sometimes frontotomy, orbitotomy, sphenoidotomy, maxillary sinusotomy, and ethmoidotomy are required. Massive antibiotic therapy is mandatory.

The prognosis for orbital foreign bodies is determined by their location, the nature of the object, and the severity of damage to the eye tissue. If the optic nerve is not damaged, the prognosis for vision preservation is relatively good.

Prevention of foreign bodies in the eye

Foreign bodies most often get into the eye if safety precautions are not followed, therefore, the main prevention is to protect the eyes when performing plumbing, carpentry, agricultural and other types of work. A foreign body that has entered the eye should not be attempted to be removed independently, as this may cause migration of the fragment, significant damage to the deep structures of the eye and the development of severe complications. If there is a foreign body in the eye, you should definitely seek qualified help from an ophthalmologist.

Probably every person, at least once in his life, has encountered the feeling of the presence of some foreign body in the eye. This feeling can also appear when a small speck, a small insect, etc. gets into the eye.

Today, it is the entry of a foreign body into the eye that is one of the most important causes of serious damage to its structure (cornea, sclera, conjunctiva). A foreign body can not only be located on the surface of the eye, but also easily penetrates directly into the eyeball. Even a minimal injury caused to the eye by any foreign body can pose a potential danger to the natural functions of vision.

A foreign body can penetrate the cornea, sclera, conjunctiva, and of course, into the eye cavity. The easiest clinical manifestations of a foreign body entering the eye are an unpleasant feeling of a grain of sand in the eye, the onset of quite strong lacrimation, involuntary or forced closure of the palpebral fissure (this process is called blepharospasm), in the most severe cases quite severe pain appears. If one day a grain of sand or some kind of lint gets into the eye, this is a foreign body of the eye.

Quite often, sawdust or small shavings can get into the eye if personal safety measures are not followed when working on sharpening units, metal-cutting machines, milling units, and other machines that are designed for processing wood or metal. To prevent foreign body entry, it is necessary to mandatory, wear special safety glasses while working. The great danger is precisely the speed of movement of such fragments, as a result of which they can literally crash into a person’s eye, which provokes the formation of a rather serious eye injury and in the most severe cases, immediate surgical intervention may be necessary to prevent complete loss of vision.

A foreign body can also get into the eye as a result of strong winds or a dust storm. To avoid such trouble, it is recommended not to go outside in bad weather, but to wait it out indoors. If there is an urgent need to go outside, then it is imperative to use safety glasses.

Quite often, people who wear contact lenses experience an unpleasant feeling of a foreign body in the eye. This is possible if the basic rules for their use are not followed (this includes careful removal of lenses, sterility, and much more). As a result, minor injuries may form on the surface structure of the eyeball, which leads to the appearance of a foreign body sensation in the eye.

Symptoms

If a foreign body gets into the eye, signs of varying degrees of severity may appear - from a slight feeling of discomfort to severe and almost unbearable pain. The manifestation of the intensity of symptoms directly depends on the location of the foreign body, as well as the degree of damage to the eye.

Quite rarely, a sharp and small foreign body gets into the eye, and symptoms may be completely absent or minimally manifested. If there is no feeling of discomfort, but there is a suspicion that some foreign body has entered the eye, you should immediately consult a doctor to prevent the development of possible complications.

It is almost impossible to notice with the naked eye where a foreign object has entered the eye. Depending on the location of such a foreign body, severe pain will appear or a sharp decrease in the level of visual acuity will begin, while at first no symptoms at all may appear.

Diagnostics

During diagnosis, it is the anamnesis that is important (that is, the nature of the damage, which indicates the introduction or ingestion of the foreign body itself).

Diagnosis of a foreign body in the eye is carried out by an ophthalmologist, taking into account the medical history, as well as a visual examination of the patient. During this procedure, the doctor must very carefully turn out the upper eyelid, since only in this way can he check whether there is any foreign body underneath it.

In the most severe cases, there is a need to conduct a vision test and examine the patient using a special slit lamp. It may also be necessary to examine all the internal media of the eye using an ophthalmoscope; the patient is prescribed x-rays and ultrasound diagnostics.

Most often, a diagnosis of a foreign body is made on the basis of anamnesis, as well as patient complaints.

Prevention

Most often, a foreign body gets into a person’s eye as a result of the fact that basic safety rules are not followed during work. That is why the most effective and main methods of preventing foreign bodies from getting into the eye is the use of special protective glasses when working - when carrying out metalworking, carpentry, agricultural, and other work.

In the event that some foreign body does get into the eye, it is not recommended to try to remove it yourself, since as a result of incorrect and unskilled actions (most often this is not done in sanitary conditions), there is a risk of fragments starting to migrate, and also causing quite serious damage to the deeper structures of the eye. This all leads to serious consequences; in some of the most severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary.

In the event that some foreign body (for example, particles of wood, metal, glass or other material) does get into the eye, you must strictly adhere to the following recommendations:

• Do not rub or even touch the damaged eye under any circumstances, as this can only worsen an already serious condition, and it also leads to the deepening of the foreign body into the deeper layers of the eye, which as a result provokes more serious injuries;
• the affected eye should be kept closed as long as possible, since frequent blinking only increases irritation;
• You should not try to remove the foreign body yourself, as this is very dangerous and can only worsen the situation;
• you must immediately seek help from an experienced doctor;
• Without fail, it is necessary to inform the specialist about what exactly was being done at the time of receiving this injury, as well as what materials the victim was working with.

In order to avoid surgery, it is enough to adhere to fairly simple preventive measures, as well as consult a doctor in a timely manner when the first unpleasant feeling discomfort.

Treatment

The basis of treatment for a foreign body in the eye is its removal. If there is a need for pain relief, then the doctor will drop special eye drops into the damaged eye that have an anesthetic effect (for example, Dicaine 0.25% can be used).

As soon as the painkiller begins to take effect, you can proceed directly to removing the foreign body itself. In this case, a sterile cotton swab will be used, which is pre-moistened in sterile distilled water.

If the foreign body that gets into the eye is quite small in diameter, then during a simple examination it will be difficult, and sometimes even impossible, to detect it. That is why the doctor instills special eye drops into the damaged eye, which contain a unique dye, namely fluorescein. It is thanks to its effect that the foreign body becomes noticeable and can be detected. Then, without much difficulty, its subsequent removal is carried out.

If the patient has a slight lesion of the cornea, as soon as the foreign body is completely removed from the eye, the doctor prescribes a special eye ointment for use by the patient, which includes antibiotics. This ointment must be used for two or three days, after the procedure for removing the foreign body (only the attending physician can determine the exact time of use of the ointment).

If the patient has a significant and quite serious damage to the cornea, then, after the procedure to remove the foreign body, the patient is prescribed for a certain time, which will be determined by the attending physician, to instill special drops into the damaged eye that help dilate the pupil (atropine sulfate solution 1% ). Also, over the next few days after this procedure, the patient needs to instill special eye drops into the eye, which include an antibiotic.