Something in your eye? Don't rub it. Call us. We provide safe, same-day foreign body removal — metal, glass, wood, and debris — at Elite Eyecare Nashville.
Foreign Body Removal
A foreign body in the eye — whether it's a metal shaving, wood chip, piece of glass, or even a stubborn eyelash embedded in the conjunctiva — is a medical situation that requires professional care. The eye is a delicate structure, and well-intentioned attempts to remove debris at home can cause corneal abrasions, drive the particle deeper, or introduce infection.
At Elite Eyecare Nashville, we remove superficial corneal and conjunctival foreign bodies safely using slit lamp magnification, topical anesthetic, and specialized instruments. Most removals are completed in a single visit, and we assess the eye thoroughly afterward for any corneal damage or infection risk.
If something gets in your eye and doesn't flush out with water — especially if it's metal, glass, or wood — call us. Same-day appointments are available for urgent situations.
⚠️ Do Not Rub Your Eye
Rubbing can embed the foreign body deeper into the cornea and cause additional damage. Gently flush with clean water or sterile saline if available, keep the eye closed, and call us immediately at (615) 249-4926. Same-day appointments are available for foreign body situations.
When to Go to the ER Instead
If you have a penetrating eye injury (something punctured the eye), a chemical splash, significant bleeding, sudden vision loss, or an injury from a high-velocity projectile — go directly to an emergency room or call 911. Do not apply pressure to the eye. These situations are beyond the scope of outpatient care and require immediate surgical evaluation.
Our Approach
We apply numbing eye drops to your eye so the removal process is comfortable. You'll feel pressure but no pain. The anesthetic works quickly — within about 30 seconds — so we can begin the examination and removal right away.
Using high magnification under the slit lamp, your doctor locates the foreign body precisely — its exact position, depth, and any associated corneal damage. This careful examination is what makes safe removal possible.
The foreign body is removed using a sterile needle, spud, or cotton-tipped applicator depending on its type and location. For metallic particles that have begun to oxidize, a rust ring may also need to be carefully removed with a burr instrument.
After removal, we assess the cornea for abrasion size and depth. Antibiotic drops or ointment are prescribed to prevent infection. A follow-up visit is scheduled to confirm healing — corneal abrasions typically resolve within 24–72 hours with proper treatment.
What We Treat
Most superficial corneal and conjunctival foreign bodies can be safely removed in our office. Here's what we see most frequently.
The most common workplace eye injury. Metal shavings from grinding, cutting, or welding embed in the cornea and begin to oxidize within hours — forming a rust ring that must also be removed. Prompt treatment prevents more extensive corneal damage.
Wood splinters, plant material, and agricultural debris carry a high risk of fungal or bacterial infection. These require thorough removal, careful wound assessment, and close monitoring for signs of infection in the days following removal.
Fine particles from wind, outdoor work, or construction that embed under the eyelid or on the corneal surface. Sometimes multiple particles are present. A thorough lid eversion and irrigation is performed to ensure complete clearance.
Glass from broken eyewear, windshields, or workplace accidents. Glass fragments are often difficult to see without magnification and can be present in greater numbers than the patient realizes. Slit lamp examination is essential.
Even after the foreign body is removed, the corneal scratch it caused requires treatment. We assess abrasion size, apply fluorescein dye to map the wound, and prescribe appropriate treatment to prevent infection and promote rapid healing.
Metallic foreign bodies that have been present for more than a few hours leave an iron oxide rust ring in the corneal tissue. We use a sterile ophthalmic burr to carefully remove rust rings, which if left in place can delay healing and cause ongoing inflammation.
Why Elite Eyecare
When something's in your eye, you need someone who knows what they're doing and can see you today.
Foreign body situations don't wait. We hold same-day availability for urgent eye care — call us at (615) 249-4926 and we'll get you in as quickly as possible.
Removal under high-magnification slit lamp is the standard of care for corneal foreign bodies. We have the equipment and the expertise to do this safely and completely.
Nashville patients consistently rate us 5.0 stars — including many who came to us for urgent eye care and were seen quickly and treated thoroughly.
For non-penetrating eye injuries, seeing us is faster, more affordable, and more specialized than the ER. We handle what we can safely treat and refer what we can't.
Foreign body removal is typically covered under medical insurance as an urgent eye care visit. Our team verifies your benefits before your visit.
FAQ
Don't wait, don't rub, and don't try to handle it yourself. Call Elite Eyecare Nashville for same-day foreign body removal — we'll get you in and get it out safely.
Visit us today and experience the difference of personalized and comprehensive eye care services.
