We’ve all been there—that annoying, gritty feeling that means something is stuck in your eye. Whether it’s an eyelash, a stray piece of mascara, or some dust from a windy day, the instinct is to rub it. According to experts, that’s exactly what you shouldn’t do. Dr. Douglas Lazzaro, an ophthalmologist at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, warns that rubbing your eye can actually push the object deeper into your cornea or introduce bacteria from your hands.
How to handle it safely
If you have something stuck, start by washing your hands and finding a bright space. Try blinking or using artificial tears to flush the debris out. If you can locate the object, you can gently pull down your lower lid to see if it’s visible. However, if the object is embedded, or if you can't get it out after a few tries, keep your hands off. Avoid using tools like tweezers at home, as these can easily cause accidental injury. Dr. Lazzaro notes, "One of the worst-case scenarios is that the individual goes to a mirror and tries to pick at the foreign object."
If you get a chemical or liquid in your eye, don’t wait to see if it improves. Dr. Keith Baratz of the Mayo Clinic emphasizes that you should rinse with tap water immediately. "Speed is the important thing," he says. After rinsing, head straight to the emergency room, as there can be lingering damage even after the initial flush.
Why it matters
Even if you successfully remove the object, you aren't always out of the woods. If you still feel pain, redness, or notice vision changes after 24 hours, see a medical professional. Sometimes a tiny scratch or leftover debris—like wood fibers or metal flecks that can lead to rust—requires specialized care to prevent infections, scarring, or permanent vision damage.
