What should you do if you end up with a foreign body in your eye?

• A. Put a dressing over both eyes and go to the ER
• B. Rub the eye to remove the object
• C. Use only water to rinse and then go home
• D. Ignore and blink rapidly

Answer: (A)

When a foreign body is in the eye, the priority is to protect the eye and seek prompt professional evaluation. Do not rub the eye, as rubbing can scratch or worsen corneal injury. The safest immediate action is to cover both eyes with a clean dressing or eye shield to limit movement and reduce pain during transport. Then go to the emergency department or an eye care professional to have the object removed safely and to assess for any corneal abrasion or other injury. If irrigation is possible and the object is small and not embedded, flushing with clean water can help, but it does not replace professional evaluation—seek care if pain, vision changes, or the object persists. Avoid ignoring the issue or attempting to remove the object yourself.