Foreign bodies in the eye may cause irritation, but they may also cause serious eye conditions. Doctors must remove some types of foreign objects in the eye, but other types may come out of the eye on their own. Seek medical attention for eye injuries that cause vision changes or pain. Knowing the causes for some foreign objects in the eye may help prevent eye damage.
Eyelashes
Eyelashes commonly fall into the eye. The eye may feel scratchy and irritated, but a gentle rub along the lash line often moves the eyelash out of the eye. If the eyelash does not come out of the eye, the lash may have grown the wrong direction, causing the eyelash to scratch the surface of the eye. Doctors refer to this condition as trichiasis, and in many cases, the doctor must pull out the eyelash to prevent damage to the surface of the eye. The eyelashes often grow back in the same position and continue to cause irritation. Doctors must either freeze or use electrolysis to the follicle to eliminate the problem, according to The Merck Manual.
Airborne Particles
Dirt, pollen and other small particles may travel in the air, making their way into the eye. Some particles do not cause any irritation, though larger debris may cause discomfort and turn the white of the eye red. In some cases, an eye doctor will need to remove the particle, particularly if the foreign body cannot be seen without the use of an eye doctor's microscope, designed to look closely at the eye.
Injury
Foreign objects in the eye may also result from eye injuries. Pencils or other large objects can cause serious damage to the eye and vision, and these injuries require immediate medical attention. If the eyelid has a cut or apparent injury, the U.S. National Library of Medicine recommends seeking medical attention, since an injury to the eyelid may indicate an unseen injury to the eye.
