Foreign objects are often blown or rubbed into the eyes causing irritating and scratching the surface of the eye.

Signs and symptoms include:

• Redness of the eye.
• Burning sensation.
• Pain, headache.
• Overproduction of tears.
• Swelling and wound.
• The presence of a foreign body.

Precautions:

• Keep the victim from rubbing his eye.
• Wash your hands thoroughly before examining the victim’s eye.
• Do not attempt to remove a foreign object by inserting a match stick tooth pick, or any other instrument.
• Refer the victim if something is embedded in the eye; or if something is thought to be embedded but cannot be located.

Injuries to the eyelids:

• Stop the haemorrhage by gently applying direct pressure.
• Clean the wound and apply a sterile or clean dressing and seek medical help without delay.
• Bruises above and below the eye should be treated by an immediate cold application to stop bleeding and swelling.

Blunt injury to the eye:

• A contusion occurs from a direct blow, such as a fist, a vehicle accident or explosions that result in a black eye. 
  
• A dry sterile or clean dressing should be applied, and the victim should be, transported lying flat and refer.
  

Removal of a foreign body from the surface of the eyeball

• Pull down the lower lid to determine the object lies on the inner surface.
• Lift it gently with the corner of a clean handkerchief or tissue paper.
• Flash the eye with abundant water.
• Apply a dry dressing and send the person to the hospital if the object is not removed.

Penetrating injuries of the eye:

• Can cause blindness!.
• Don’t try to remove the objects or to wash the eye.
• Cover the eyes with a sterile or clean dressing to avoid movements of the affected eye.
• Keep and transport the victim by stretcher.

Removing foreign objects:

• Remove any superficially embedded objects safely.
• Deep embedded foreign objects should be left for removal by health professionals.