Advice after your nerve block for surgery
On this page…
An ocular foreign body is a common condition, in which a small particle (such as a piece of grit, sand, wood or small rust particle) becomes stuck on your eye. This will often occur in windy weather when working with power tools. If the object becomes stuck on the cornea –the clear front part of your eye – this is called a corneal foreign body. If the object is stuck under your lid, (a sub-tarsal foreign body) this may cause scratches to the surface of your cornea (corneal abrasion). If a corneal foreign body is metal, a small ring of rust may form around it. Corneal abrasions may also be caused by fingernails or an accident.
Why is it so painful?
The surface of your eye contains many nerves, which makes it very sensitive to any scratch or foreign body on the front of your eye.
Symptoms of an ocular foreign body or corneal abrasion:
- Pain, which may feel worse when you open or close your eye.
- A feeling that there is something in your eye or irritation, gritty sensation.
- Your eye watering far more than usual
- Redness
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurred vision or loss of vision
- A headache
How is the foreign body removed?
Local anaesthetic may be used to remove a foreign body. This is a medication that makes the tissues around the eye numb. The foreign body will be removed with a cotton bud or a small sterile needle. Your eye may be uncomfortable when the local anaesthetic wears off in approx. 20 minutes; this is especially true if the cornea was scratched. Blinking the eye may increase the pain.
Unfortunately, anaesthetic drops cannot be prescribed to take home as regular use slows down the healing of the eye. An orange dye will have been put into your eye to see if there is any remaining foreign body left in the eye, which may need removing, such as a rust ring.
How long does it take to heal?
- The cornea normal heals within 24-48 hours.
Treatment:
- You will have been given antibiotic eye ointment or cream to apply to your affected eye. This should be put in the eye as prescribed, normally 4 to 7 days.
- Take pain killers such as paracetamol to help with the pain in the initial stages.
How to apply ointment or cream to eye
- Lie down or lean your head back and look up.
- Use a clean finger to gently pull down your lower eyelid to create a pocket.
- If you are using eye drops, gently squeeze them into the pocket you have created not directly into eye.
- If you are using ointment, apply a small strip into the pocket.
- Blink to spread the medication over your eye.
- Initially your vision will be blurred but this will quickly recover.
Useful Information:
- Do not wear contact lenses whilst the eye is healing and using antibiotic eye drops / cream. Do not resume wearing them until 24 hours after completion of the antibiotics.
- Avoid rubbing or touching your eye.
- Wear sunglasses if your eye is sensitive to light.
- If your vision is affected you should not drive, until vision returns to normal.
Prevention:
To avoid injury to your cornea, wear goggles when drilling, sawing or gardening to protect against small particles getting into your eye. Wear something to protect your eyes when welding, skiing, mountaineering, using a sun bed or in any other circumstance where a lot of light rays are present.
If you develop any of the following symptoms, please seek urgent medical advice
- If your vision becomes more blurred,
- if pain and redness increase around eye
- If you develop a discharge from affected eye
- If you have a temperature above 38 degrees
If you have any further concerns, seek advice from your Optometrist / GP, Call NHS 111 or visit https:/
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Emergency department (ED) service.
About this information
Service:
Emergency department (ED)
Reference:
A/024
Approval date:
1 November 2024
Review date:
1 November 2027
Click ‘show accessibility tools’ at the bottom of the page
Then click ‘select language’
Alternative formats
You can use the accessibility toolbar at the bottom of your screen to:
-
Change the text size
-
Adjust the font
-
Modify the colour contrast
-
Use the translate function
If you would like this information in another format, such as Braille, audio, or easy read, please speak to a member of staff.
You can also print as well as download as PDF using the “Print this page” button at the end of the page.
Staff will print a copy for you on request
Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.