Q: Do you have any useful tips for removing a particle of matter from the eye? I have to do this quite often for various family members, and I generally use the edge of a tissue. Is there a better way?
A: People often get bits of sand, dust, tiny insects or paint chips in their eyes. These foreign bodies fall into two categories. They can be either superficial or penetrating.
You can usually remove superficial ones yourself as they stick to the front of the eye, or get trapped under an eyelid. Working underneath a car without safety goggles or glasses is a common way of getting small pieces of rust in the eye.
Read Also
Ag in Motion 2025 celebrates agriculture through the generations
Ag in Motion 2025 an event for families to spend quality time together
Penetrating foreign bodies are more serious and generally require the assistance of a doctor or emergency department. These often occur when people are hammering or grinding. Pieces of metal can travel at high speed and penetrate the outer layer of the eye. This type of injury can be extremely serious and may lead to cataract formation and blindness if not treated promptly.
I suggest the first thing you do before using the Kleenex, is to gently rinse the eye using warm water and an eye bath, if you have one. Do not use hard objects such as cotton buds or toothpicks. Sometimes the sufferer will feel as if there is something in the eye even after it has gone because the cornea or surface of the eye may have received a small scratch.
If you cannot remove the foreign body, the doctor will first stain the surface of the eye with a fluorescent dye that helps to show the particle. He may be able to remove metal objects with a magnet, or he can anesthetize the eye with drops and use a flattened needle to flip the piece away. Do not try this yourself.
He may also turn the eyelids inside out to examine underneath them. Penetrating injuries may require help from an eye surgeon who can go into the eye to remove the object. Serious injuries may also require suctioning of blood, removal of the lens or repair of the retina.
Grapefruit helps weight loss
Katsuya Nagano, head of the Osaka Institute for Protein Research in Japan, has done some research that showed that smelling grapefruit helped to curb appetite, while smelling lavender had the opposite effect and led to weight gain. The research was performed on laboratory rats, so more work needs to be done using human subjects.
Clare Rowson is a medical doctor with a practice near Belleville, Ont. Her columns are intended for general information only. Individuals are encouraged to also seek the advice of their own doctor regarding medical questions and treatments.
