What to do when I get something in my eye

Got some dust in your eye? Or some other irritant like an eyelash or
cigarette ash? You can use the following technique to help others as well
as yourself.

Before doing anything, make sure you don’t do what you absolutely
shouldn’t: rub or press the eye, lift the eyelid, or remove contact lenses
without washing your hands.

How to proceed?
· Examine your eye. Is it red? Swollen? Is it tearing? What do you
feel? Does it itch? Burn? Is your vision blurred?

· Let nature do its work - it is usually effective. Tears and natural eye
movements will usually get rid of the irritation.

· Try rinsing your eye with some warm water, or with drops. You
can pull on the skin around the eyes, but don’t touch the eyelid.

· If this doesn’t work, wash your hands, and then lift both the upper
and lower eyelids to locate the irritant. Is it on the inside of one of the
eyelids, or is it stuck to the eyeball itself? Pour some sterilized, warm
water on your eye to flush the irritant out.

· If you can’t locate the irritant or if the discomfort persists after you
have removed the particle, you would better consult a doctor.