It’s so easy for debris to get into your eye during regular outdoor activities, often before you even realize it’s happened. If that irritation continues or you notice any changes in your vision, it’s a good idea to have the eye checked by an urgent care provider.
At Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care, our team treats a wide range of minor injuries for both adults and children, including eye irritation caused by debris. With walk-in care seven days a week, you can have your eye evaluated without waiting for a primary care appointment.
Why even small particles in the eye can cause pronounced discomfort
The surface of your eye can be extremely sensitive. Debris that you’d never notice if it hit your skin can feel very bothersome if it gets into your eye. You’ll notice it right away when something lands there, often as a scratchy feeling.
Irritation may persist if debris remains in the eye. You may experience inflammation, watering or a sharp feeling whenever you blink. It’ll be hard to keep your eye open comfortably until the foreign object has been properly removed.
Signs something may be stuck in your eye
The sensation that something is in the eye can be persistent and distracting, and most people recognize it quickly.
You might notice symptoms such as:
- A poking or scratching feeling
- Redness in the eye
- Excessive tearing
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurred vision
The signs vary depending on what exactly entered the eye. Fine dust may cause mild annoyance, while a larger fragment can create greater discomfort.
Steps you can try at home first
If you believe debris has entered your eye, keep your hands away from the area at first. Rubbing it might move the particle around and risks irritating the eye even more.
The University of Rochester Medical Center outlines several at-home actions you can take, all starting with handwashing. Then blink repeatedly to allow your tears to rinse the eye naturally.
If that doesn’t work, flush the eye with fresh water or a saline solution. Allow the fluid to run into the eye while you keep the lid apart. Occasionally, foreign matter gets lodged under the upper eyelid. Gently lifting the upper eyelid while looking downward can permit tears to flush the region.
Steer clear of cotton swabs, tissue corners or tweezers when trying to get something out of your eye.
When the irritation does not improve
An uncomfortable sensation that continues even after rinsing the eye signifies the object is still present. According to the Mayo Clinic, this could mean the particle has become stuck under your eyelid or some other part of the eye. Worsening pain indicates the eye itself might have a scratch.
At Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care, we’ll examine your eye using proper lighting and magnification so we can identify particles that may be difficult to see on your own. Once we locate the debris, we can remove it carefully and check the surface of the eye for possible injuries.
How urgent care can help treat minor eye injuries
A calm, methodical process, along with the right equipment, is crucial for clearing debris from the eye. Attempting to remove it yourself might aggravate the situation.
When you come in, we’ll want to know the cause of the injury and when you first experienced symptoms. We can take out any foreign object from the eye using specialized, sterile tools available here at the clinic. Based on our observations, we may also suggest medication to lessen any redness during the eye’s healing process.
Let Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care take a look at your eye
Most small particles wash out of the eye with tears or gentle rinsing, but if the strange sensation continues, or if the eye becomes more painful, having a provider examine it can prevent further discomfort.
Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care has convenient locations in Thibodaux, Houma and Gray. Our clinics are open each day of the week, and you can walk in anytime or reserve a spot in line online to reduce your wait.
We’re here to help with minor eye injuries and other urgent health concerns. Stop by one of our locations for care when and where you need it.
