Foreign objects in the eye

Understanding
This condition occurs when there is an object coming from outside the body into the eye. It can be anything, either dust particles, metal, and so on.

Foreign body is one of the most common causes of corneal injury and other eye diseases. The severity of damage to the eye depends on the size of the foreign object, the speed of entry, and the type of the object itself.

If a foreign object comes in, it must be removed immediately. Letting it drag on will aggravate the disease, it can even cause blindness. When a foreign object enters the eye, the following circumstances will occur:

• Mechanical effect

Foreign objects entering will penetrate the cornea, so it can creep into the front chamber. If the object is small, it will settle in the corner of the eye chamber. However, if the object continues to go in, it will penetrate the iris.

If it concerns the lens of the eye, it will cause cataracts. When entering until the retina, it will show the presence of white viscous fluid and the presence of red blood cell deposits in the retina. This condition can damage the retina and cause blind

• Infection

When a foreign object enters the eye, the risk of inflammation and infection occurs. Foreign objects usually contain germs, and the eye is a good medium for the development of germs.

Once the germs enter, the tissue around the eyes will begin to become infected, and it can cause inflammation. Infection is left too long will cause complications of blindness.

• Changes in eye tissue
  

The entry of certain objects can leave a permanent trace, and cause changes in the development of eye tissue.

Complications
Entry of foreign objects into the eye can cause a number of complications, such as:

• Keratitis: Inflammation of the lining of the cornea of the eye.
• Corneal ulcer: There is open wound on the cornea lining.
• Traumatic Cataracts: Cataracts caused by the entry of objects into the lens.
• Perforation: Rupture of eyeball due to sharp objects or complications of open wounds on corneas that are not treated properly.

Diagnosis
Foreign objects in the eye can be known through interviews between physician and patient and physical examination. The doctor will ask the patient's activity, the time, and the way the object goes into the eye. Because these things are very important to make the diagnosis.
Meanwhile, the usual physical checks are:

• General / subjective examination: Examination of patient's visual acuity, to determine whether or not the vision function is decreased. However, foreign body usually does not decrease the function of vision. Unless the foreign body is a chemical substance.
• Objective Examination: This check is performed to see if there are abnormalities around the eyes, such as red eyes, bleeding around the eyes, swelling around the eyelid, and whether visible foreign objects are lodged in the cornea. The doctor will also examine the state of the eyelids, cornea, front booth, pupils, lens, eyeball movement, and so forth.
• Special examination: Orbital radiographic examination or CT scan is sometimes required to assess the degree of injury, and if there is suspected foreign object in the eye.

Symptoms
Here are the symptoms and signs that will occur if there is a foreign object in the eye:

• Extra ocular

It is a damage that occurs in the cornea. The symptoms are:

1. The sensation of a foreign object in the eye. This will make you want to blink constantly
2. Discomfort
3. Glare at the sight of light
4. Excessive tear production
5. Red eye
6. Severe pain in the eyes

• Intra ocular

It is a damage that occurs in the deeper parts of the cornea, such as irises and lenses. This situation can be caused by a hard blow. For example in an explosion, or it can be a sharp object that pierces the eyeball. The symptoms are felt is the fluid and blood out of the eye. 

Treatment
Do the following if you are exposed to a foreign object in your eyes:

• Do not rub or press the eyeballs.
• Do not use tools, such as clamps and cotton buds, to remove the object from the eye.
• Limit the movement of the eyeball.
• Eyeliner with a clean cloth or sterile gauze.
• If the object is too large, use the cloth help to help close the eyes.
• If there is a sharp prick like a knife, do not do the retraction.
• If exposed to liquids or chemicals, wash with running water for 1-2 minutes.
• If faced with the above circumstances, immediately go to the hospital to get help.

Treatment of foreign objects in the eye aims to reduce pain, prevent infection, and prevent permanent malfunction. If included mild and only limited to the cornea, the doctor will remove the object with a cotton swab and sterile needle tip with the help of special lights.

In severe cases such as sharp puncture, surgery is required as soon as possible to handle it. The doctor will also administer anti-pain medication to relieve pain. If necessary, antibiotics will also be given to prevent infection.

Prevention
To avoid entry of foreign objects into the eye, wear eye protection when working with woodworking objects, such as saws, lawn mowers, hammers, and grinding wheels. Do the same when working with chemicals and driving on a motorcycle.

Cause
Usually, the cause of the entry of foreign objects into the eye is a metal object. Examples: gold, silver, lead, zinc, nickel, aluminum, copper, and iron.

In addition, non-metallic objects such as contact lenses, makeup tools, stones, glass, clothing materials, eyelashes, can also be a cause. Finally, be careful when interacting with chemicals, such as soaps, detergents, acidic substances, and basic substances.

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