Something in your eye? Here’s how to get it out – without making it worse

It’s natural to want to soothe eye irritation, but mishandling could lead to more problems, experts warn. We asked them for advice on how to deal with it properly

It may feel like a gritty, annoying sensation, or a sharp pain. Either way, you may have the same problem: something is stuck in your eye and needs to come out.

Addressing the situation incorrectly can lead to bigger issues such as infection, scarring, an ulcer or corneal scratches, which are abrasions on the clear covering of your eye. Ignoring the dilemma can lead to similar consequences.

Experts explain how to handle this predicament, when it’s time to see a medical professional, and some of the most common mistakes.

As innocuous as they may seem, eyelashes are some of the most common foreign bodies to get stuck in eyes. If an eyelash ends up under an eyelid, it can be quite painful, explained Dr Douglas Lazzaro, an ophthalmologist and professor at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine.