Eye Injury First Aid

 What to Do When Something Gets in Your Eye

If you live or work in Bakersfield, you know that wind, dust, and construction can increase the chance of getting something in your eye. Weekend DIY projects can also add to this risk. Swift, correct first aid can prevent infection, scarring, and even permanent vision loss.

Here is a simple guide from Li & Liao Optometry. It tells you what to do right away, when to call your optometrist, and when to go to the ER. It also includes tips for protective eyewear that work well in Kern County.

Quick First Aid: Do This First (and What to Avoid)

If it’s dust, an eyelash, or small debris:

1. Stop rubbing. Rubbing can scratch your cornea.
2. Wash your hands.
3. Rinse generously with sterile saline or clean, lukewarm water for 5 – 15 minutes. Tilt your head so water flows from the inner corner to the outer corner.
4. Blink it out. Lift your upper lid gently over the lower lid to help dislodge particles.
5. Remove contacts before rinsing; do not reinsert until you’re symptom-free.

If it’s a chemical splash (fertilizer, cleaning agents, pool chemicals, solvents):

1. Start flushing immediately — don’t wait. Hold lids open and flush with a steady, gentle stream of water or saline for at least 15 – 20 minutes.
2. Bring the container or product name to your visit.
3. Seek urgent care (see ER vs. Optometrist below).

If something is stuck or sharp (metal, wood, glass), or the eye is cut:

• Do not try to remove it.
• Do not apply pressure or use tweezers/cotton swabs
• Shield the eye loosely with a clean cup or protective cover and seek immediate care.

Avoid these common mistakes:

• No “redness – relief” drops; they can mask worsening problems.
• Don’t patch the eye (unless a clinician instructs you).
• Don’t delay care if symptoms persist more than a few hours or vision is affected.

Bakersfield – Specific Situations You’ll Likely Face

• Wind + Dust Days (Valley dust, ag fields, roadside grit): Wear wraparound sunglasses or safety glasses; carry lubricating artificial tears; avoid rubbing.
• Yardwork & DIY (mowing, string trimmers, sanding, drilling): Always use ANSI Z87.1 safety eyewear with side shields; replace scratched lenses that can distort vision.
• Construction & Welding: Use task-appropriate shields/helmets and impact-rated lenses; high-velocity metal fragments require same-day medical evaluation.
• Wildfire Smoke Season: Use sealed goggles if you’re outdoors for long periods; smoke debris can irritate the ocular surface and worsen dry eye.

When to Call Your Optometrist vs. Go to the ER

Most foreign bodies and abrasions are best handled same day by your optometrist. We have the equipment to examine, remove debris, smooth corneal edges, treat pain/infection risk, and get you healing faster — often without the wait.

Call Li & Liao Optometry same day if you have:

• Persistent feeling of “something in the eye” after rinsing
• Redness, light sensitivity, tearing, or discharge
• Contact lens – related irritation or suspected corneal abrasion
• Mild to moderate pain but no penetrating injury
• Small non-embedded debris (metal dust, sand, plant matter)

Go to the Emergency Room immediately if:

• You suspect a penetrating injury (object stuck in the eye)
• Chemical burns that continue to sting after 20 minutes of irrigation
•  Sudden vision loss, double vision, or a curtain in your vision
• Severe pain, blood inside the eye, or large/lid lacerations
• High-velocity impacts (grinding, hammering metal) with possible intraocular foreign body

Pro tip: If you’re unsure, call us. We’ll triage quickly and direct you to the right level of care.

What Your Optometrist Can Do (That Home Care Can’t)

• Slit-lamp exam to locate micro-particles and assess corneal damage
• Safe removal of foreign bodies (including embedded rust rings)
• Targeted medications (antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, bandage contact lens)
• Follow-up to ensure proper healing and prevent scarring or infection

Recovery & Aftercare

• Use all drops/ointments exactly as prescribed.
• Avoid contacts until cleared; switch to glasses during healing.
• Wear sunglasses outdoors — Bakersfield sun and wind can aggravate healing tissue.
• Return for follow-up; small abrasions can worsen without monitoring.

Protective Eyewear: Best Practices That Actually Help

For Bakersfield work & hobbies

• Look for ANSI Z87.1 impact rating (stamped on the frame/lens).
• Choose polycarbonate or Trivex lenses (strong, light, UV-blocking).
• Use wraparound or side shields for dust control.
• Keep a pair in your truck/tool bag — if you have to “go find them,” you won’t wear them

For sports

• Kids and adults in baseball/softball, racquet sports, basketball: use ASTM F803-rated sports goggles. Regular glasses are not impact-safe.

For sun, wind, and dust

• Polarized sunglasses reduce glare from roads and irrigation water.
• A snug, wrap fit helps during windy days and on job sites.

For chemicals

• Use sealed goggles when handling fertilizers, solvents, or pool chemicals. Keep a saline bottle in reach for immediate irrigation.

FAQ

Can I sleep it off if my eye still hurts?

• No. If pain, redness, or “grit” feeling persists after rinsing, you need an exam.

Are “glowing” or novelty contact lenses safe?

• Skip them unless they’re prescription-fitted and FDA-cleared. Poor fit can scratch your cornea.

How long should irritation last after something gets in my eye?

• Minor irritation may improve within a few hours. If not, call for same-day care.

Your Bakersfield Eye Injury Plan

1. Flush first.
2. Don’t rub.
3. Remove contacts.
4. Call Li & Liao Optometry for same-day care (or go to the ER for the red-flag cases above).
5. Upgrade your eyewear to ANSI-rated protection for work, DIY, and sports.

Need same-day attention?

Li & Liao Optometry is here to help with urgent eye injuries, foreign-body removal, and fast relief

Book an urgent visit or call our office now.

Prefer to plan ahead? Ask us about ANSI-rated safety eyewear and sports goggles during your next exam.