Sometimes it can be difficult to know when an eye condition requires medical attention, but if you are concerned, it is always better to err on the side of caution than to ignore a potential problem. At Coastal Vision Care, we care for all of your vision and eye care needs. From eye emergencies to diagnosis of eye conditions and diseases, our team of professionals is available when you need us and provides the most comprehensive eye care services in the Charleston area.
When a foreign body gets into your eye, it can lead to symptoms of pain and irritation. Foreign bodies can come in the form of anything from sawdust, sand, and dirt to metal fragments. Depending on the foreign body and how the injury occurred, it can pierce the eye and lead to serious injury.
A foreign body will set off an inflammatory response that results in dilation of the vessels and swelling in the conjunctiva, cornea, and lids, and if not removed, it can lead to infection and permanent vision loss.
As a rule of thumb, if you think something is in your eye for more than a couple of hours, stop trying to find and remove it yourself. The more you try to remove it, the more likely you are to cause more damage.