Eye Foreign Body Removal in Melbourne & Greater Geelong
Something in your eye? Our optometrists assess and remove suitable surface foreign bodies, including small particles of metal, wood and glass.
Call your local practiceFor an eye injury, call for advice and availability rather than waiting for a routine online appointment.
Call us about your eye.
We welcome urgent eye-care enquiries. Tell the team what happened, when it happened and whether your vision has changed so they can advise on the appropriate next step.
Some injuries need emergency care.
Go to an emergency department for a penetrating injury, high-speed impact from metal or glass, severe pain or sudden loss of vision. Do not press on the eye or try to remove an embedded object. For a chemical splash, start rinsing immediately with plenty of clean running water and seek urgent medical help.
Foreign Body Removal Eye Treatment
Optometrists at Spectacle Hub are all qualified in removal of foreign objects from the eyes. This includes metal, wood, glass and more. Corneal anesthesia is used in the process of Foreign Body Removal to ensure it is as comfortable as possible.
Early intervention is crucial in avoiding permanent damage to the eyes or vision loss, so please do not hesitate to call us or walk-in if you’ve had a foreign object enter your eyes. We always accept emergency appointments.
Why choose us for foreign body removal?
From the first examination to your follow-up, our team focuses on the care your eye needs.
Speak with your local teamEye health experts
No long waiting times in waiting rooms
Our optometrists are trained to assess eye injuries and remove suitable surface foreign bodies.
Prompt attention
Call about urgent availability. We can advise when hospital assessment is more appropriate.
We know your eyes
We assess the injury alongside your vision, symptoms and eye-health history.
We can help with ongoing health post foreign body removal
We explain aftercare, monitor healing and arrange further treatment or referral when needed.
Remove foreign body from eye
A foreign body in the eye can cause severe pain, redness and swelling of the eye, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light. In rare cases, a foreign body can cause permanent loss of vision if it is not removed.
At Spectacle Hub Optometrists, we are trained in foreign body removal from the eyes and will always do our best to avoid surgery where possible. We can treat most foreign bodies that have entered the eye and are available for emergency appointments to accommodate our clients.
There are many reasons why a foreign body comes into contact with your eye. A person can be working in a dusty environment and accidentally rub their eyes. They could have been using hand tools such as a chisel or saw or using power tools and get dust or metal shavings in their eye. If the foreign body is on the eye’s surface, it is usually the size of a pinhead and can be difficult to see. It may be located in the corner of your eye, on the whites of your eye, under your eyelid, or on the cornea. If you are not sure whether you have a foreign body in your eye, you should come to an optometrist for an examination.
A closer examination helps identify the object.
Find the cause.
We check your vision and examine the eye to locate the object and assess any associated injury.
Choose the right care.
The object’s position and depth matter. Suitable surface foreign bodies can be treated in practice; deeper or more complex injuries need specialist care.
Look after the healing.
Numbing drops may be used during removal. We explain aftercare, any prescribed treatment and when you should return for review.
Know what to do.
At each stage.
Protect. Don’t probe.
- Leave removal to a professional.Avoid rubbing the eye or using tools to remove an object.
- Tell us what happened.Mention power tools, metal-on-metal work, wood or glass, and any change in vision.
- Get the right assessment.Call for advice. Follow the emergency guidance above for serious injuries.
Care. Review. Recover.
- Follow your aftercare plan.Use prescribed treatment exactly as directed by your clinician.
- Attend your review.Your optometrist will advise whether another appointment is needed to check healing.
- Act on worsening symptoms.Increasing pain, redness or changes in vision need prompt reassessment.
Protect your eyes next time. Use appropriate protective eyewear around flying particles, tools and garden debris.
Can an Optometrist Remove Foreign Bodies?
Can an optometrist remove foreign bodies?
Yes, optometrists can remove suitable surface foreign bodies after examining the eye. An object that has penetrated the eye or needs more complex treatment requires urgent specialist assessment.
Will removal be uncomfortable?
Corneal anaesthetic drops may be used to make the procedure more comfortable. Your optometrist explains the approach and what to expect.
What if I cannot see anything in my eye?
A particle may be very small or hidden beneath an eyelid. A scratch or another condition can also cause a foreign-body sensation. Persistent symptoms should be examined.
Will I need a follow-up appointment?
Your optometrist advises on review depending on the injury and treatment. Further care may be needed if there is a scratch, retained material or another concern.
Something in your eye?
Let’s get you the right care.
For a new injury or persistent discomfort, call your local Spectacle Hub for advice. Serious injuries need emergency assessment.
Contact your local team