Call 911 right away if:
- A strong chemical (like drain cleaner, oven cleaner, or bleach) splashed in the eye — start rinsing first, then call 911
- Something is stuck in the eye, or the eye was cut or punctured
- Sudden vision loss, double vision, or bleeding in or from the eye after an injury
- The pupil looks oddly shaped, or the eye looks out of place
- Something hit the eye at high speed (for example, from grinding, hammering, or a power tool)
Chemical in the eye
- Rinse right away with lots of clean, lukewarm water for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Use a shower, faucet, or pitcher. Hold the eyelids open and roll the eye around.
- Take out contact lenses if they don’t come out while rinsing.
- Call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 for advice, or call 911 for strong chemicals or bad pain or vision changes.
Something in the eye (dust, sand, an eyelash)
- Don’t rub the eye.
- Wash your hands, then blink several times. Tears may wash it out.
- Rinse the eye with clean water or saline eyewash.
- Get care if you still feel something after rinsing.
Something stuck in the eye, or a cut to the eye
- Don’t remove the object or press on the eye.
- Cover the eye with a paper cup or eye shield taped in place so nothing touches the eye.
- Get emergency care right away. Try to keep the person from moving their eyes. Covering both eyes can help.
A blow to the eye
- Hold a cold pack gently on the area for 15 minutes at a time to reduce swelling. Don’t press on the eye.
- Get care if there is pain, vision changes, or blood in the eye.
Prevention
Wear safety glasses for yard work, power tools, and chemicals, and sports eye protection where needed.
See a doctor or go to urgent care if:
- It still feels like something is in your eye after rinsing
- Pain, redness, tearing, blurry vision, or light sensitivity doesn’t get better within about an hour
- You wear contact lenses and your eye hurts or feels scratchy (take the lens out first)
- A blow to the eye causes a black eye, swelling, or vision changes